Trump, King Charles hold first meeting as US, UK push nuclear energy pact

King Charles III and Queen Camilla welcomed US President Donald Trump and Melania, his wife, at Windsor Castle Wednesday afternoon.

Trump is in the United Kingdom for his second state visit which will last two days.

William and Kate, the prince and princess of Wales, were the first members of the royal family to meet Trump and Melania after he arrived by helicopter.

A Household Cavalry band greeted the American couple shortly before they made their way to several carriages for a procession through the Windsor estate.

King Charles and Trump rode in a royal carriage. Queen Camilla and Melania sat next to each other in a separate coach, and another carrying William and Kate followed.

US ambassador Warren Stephens and Harriet, his wife; Marco Rubio, secretary of state; Scott Bessent, treasury secretary; Steve Witkoff; special envoy; and Susie Wiles, the chief of staff, were part of the delegation.

This is the first meeting between King Charles and Trump since both assumed office.

State visits are a form of soft power diplomacy that can build goodwill between countries who seek enhanced relations in strategic areas.

Keir Starmer, the UK prime minister, held a short phone call with Trump late on Tuesday to welcome him to the country.

The US and UK are expected to sign an agreement focused on accelerating the development of nuclear power.

The key focus of the deal which has been termed ‘Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy’ is to make it quicker for companies to build new nuclear power stations in both the UK and the US. Both countries hope it will unlock billions in private investment.

As Wednesday’s visit got under way, US tech firms invested £31 billion in the UK, including £22 billion from Microsoft.

Unlike previous visits, this historic meeting will unfold entirely behind closed doors at Windsor Castle.