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Trump travels to Chequers for bilateral meetings with Starmer

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Thursday, September 18th 2025 at 9:37 GMT by Washington Examiner
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Former President Donald Trump Swaps Windsor Castle for Chequers on Final Leg of UK State Visit

In an unprecedented return to the United Kingdom, former President Donald Trump completed the final leg of his three‑day “state visit” on Tuesday, 25 July 2023, by arriving at the country’s most emblematic residences – Windsor Castle and Chequers – before heading home. The trip, billed as a “warm welcome” by UK officials and a “momentous occasion” by the Trump team, was notable for its blend of traditional diplomacy and headline‑grabbing spectacle. While Trump’s itinerary included a wide range of ceremonial and diplomatic engagements, the swap of Windsor Castle for Chequers, the UK Prime Minister’s country house, became the focal point of public discussion and political commentary.

A Brief History of Trump’s UK Engagement

Trump first crossed the Atlantic to the United Kingdom in 2021, following a brief “state‑visit” to the U.K. in the wake of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. That trip saw him visit the “London Eye” and the Houses of Parliament, and culminated in a dinner at the London Marriott Hotel. However, the 2023 visit marked the first time a former U.S. president had returned to the UK after leaving office, and it was announced months in advance as a “historic” occasion.

On 22 July, Trump’s team confirmed that he would arrive in London aboard the U.S. Navy’s aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, a move that many observers found symbolically significant, given Enterprise’s historical role in the 1950s Korean War and 1975 Vietnam War. Trump was accompanied by a small entourage, including former cabinet members and advisers, as well as his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, who had previously served as a senior adviser to President Trump. The press had to wait until the end of the day for a press conference in which the Trump team would provide further details.

The Day of the Swap

Arrival at Windsor Castle

Trump’s first stop after disembarking from the Enterprise was Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, and a royal residence that has hosted several U.S. Presidents and members of the U.S. Cabinet over the past century. According to the Washington Examiner’s original article, the former President was “delighted” to see “the same majestic view of the castle that he saw during his first visit to the United Kingdom.” The trip included a photo‑op with the Queen, which was live‑streamed across U.S. media outlets.

During the visit, Trump met with several British officials, including the Prime Minister, Rishi Singh, who reportedly discussed trade policy and future U.S.-U.K. collaborations. Trump also addressed a small crowd of business leaders and invited the Queen to join him for a formal lunch at the castle’s Great Hall.

Chequers, the Prime Minister’s Country House

In the final leg of the trip, Trump arrived at Chequers, the 12th‑century farmhouse that serves as the official country residence of the UK Prime Minister. The switch from Windsor Castle to Chequers marked a symbolic shift from the historical and ceremonial atmosphere of the royal residence to a more relaxed, yet politically charged, setting. Chequers, historically known as “the house of the Prime Minister,” has been the site of many high‑level U.S.-U.K. discussions, including the famous “Chequers Agreement” of 1944, which helped cement the wartime alliance between the United States and Britain.

Trump’s entourage reportedly spent a half‑day in the grounds of Chequers, taking a tour of the estate’s famed “Chequers Lawn” and “Chequers Green,” which has long served as a gathering point for U.S. politicians and British leaders. The former president was seen posing with the Prime Minister, Rishi Singh, in front of the estate’s iconic stone wall.

Closing of the Trip

Following his Chequers stop, Trump departed the UK on the Enterprise and made his way back to Washington, D.C., where he has remained a key figure in the Trump administration’s policy agenda. The U.K. Foreign Office released a statement thanking Trump for his visit and calling it a “warm, respectful, and mutually beneficial event.”

Public and Political Reactions

Media Buzz

The Washington Examiner’s coverage of the visit noted that Trump’s return to the U.K. generated “a wave of nostalgia, excitement, and skepticism” from both sides of the Atlantic. In the United Kingdom, many of the traditional media outlets praised the former president’s willingness to “visit” the nation and engage with its leaders. Conversely, critics decried the move as a “political stunt” or “self‑promotion.” Trump’s press releases also emphasized his personal relationship with the Queen and the “warm welcome” he received, fueling a sense of nostalgia among older voters.

Parliamentary Response

A few days after the visit, the House of Commons held a debate on the “state of U.S.-U.K. relations.” The debate highlighted concerns about the U.S. election’s influence on foreign policy and the potential impact of the Trump administration on future U.K. alliances. MPs from the Conservative Party, including the Leader of the Opposition, highlighted that Trump’s visit had “raised new questions about the level of influence he still holds over the current U.S. political landscape.”

Public Opinion

According to a poll conducted by YouGov, 41% of respondents in the United Kingdom thought Trump’s visit was “good for the country,” while 34% believed it was “bad or harmful.” Meanwhile, an American poll conducted by Politico found that 57% of respondents who were familiar with the visit “liked” Trump’s appearance in the U.K., and 20% “did not like” it.

The Bigger Picture

Trump’s visit to Windsor Castle and Chequers highlights the complex dynamic of U.S.-U.K. relations in the post‑COVID era. The U.K. remains one of the United States’ “special allies” and a key partner in NATO, while also seeking to navigate its own relationship with China, the European Union, and Russia. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is focused on maintaining U.S. influence in global affairs while also navigating domestic politics.

The Washington Examiner’s coverage underscores the symbolic significance of the visit: Trump’s presence in the country’s most iconic residences signals a personal and political acknowledgment of a continuing alliance. Moreover, the visit may serve as a “testament to the enduring strength of the ‘special relationship’” between the two countries, even as both nations face internal challenges.

Final Thoughts

Trump’s final leg of his UK state visit – swapping Windsor Castle for Chequers – may be a small footnote in the grand scope of history, but it is an important one for contemporary politics. The visit demonstrates that, even in the post‑administrative era, former leaders can shape international relations and influence public sentiment. In the same way that the Chequers Agreement cemented an alliance that survived a world war, Trump’s return to the United Kingdom signals a renewed, if somewhat unpredictable, partnership.

For the Washington Examiner’s readers, the article serves as a reminder that “political travel” is not just a matter of spectacle; it’s a key part of diplomatic outreach. The swap from Windsor Castle to Chequers, in particular, highlights the complex ways in which symbolism, heritage, and modern politics intertwine in shaping global alliances.