Kate Middleton is expected to spend time with First Lady Melania Trump during President Donald Trump’s upcoming state visit to the United Kingdom. Trump and his wife will arrive in the UK on September 16 and will leave on September 18. It will be the president’s second state visit, and Princess Kate will be more involved this time around. Sources suggest that her involvement might be strategic.
Per BBC, on Wednesday morning, the Prince and Princess of Wales will greet the President and First Lady at Windsor Castle. Then, the Trumps will be formally welcomed by King Charles and Queen Camilla. “Thereafter, the President and First Lady will join The King and Queen, and The Prince and Princess of Wales, in a Carriage Procession through the Windsor estate, towards the Castle,” a press release stated, per Newsweek.
Donald and Melania Trump have separate engagements scheduled for the following day. Melania’s itinerary has garnered a lot of attention because Kate will host her. They’re expected to make a joint appearance at Windsor Castle’s Frogmore Gardens and meet with Chief Scout Dwayne Fields and members of the Scouts’ Squirrels program. Kate is joint president of the Scout Association.
Royal expert Jennie Bond told the Mirror that Kate will likely “massage” Donald Trump’s “ego” during the state visit. “Catherine will be the icing on the cake for a man as vain as Donald Trump,” Bond said. “To be seen with her will be gold dust in his eyes. And I’m sure she will be there to massage his ego in the most diplomatic, subtle and regal way.”
A second state visit like this one is unprecedented. Typically, United States presidents do not get a second state visit during their second terms. But in February, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer gave Trump an invitation from King Charles. In the invitation for a second state visit, King Charles wrote, “I remember with great fondness your visits to the United Kingdom during your previous Presidency.”
Trump has spoken highly of King Charles and Prince William. The president called Charles “a beautiful man” and “a wonderful man” and said he’s “gotten to know him very well.” He’s also described William as “a great young man.”
