The Real Reason King Charles Hosted 3 State Visits Last Year, Something That Hasn't Happened Since 1988
- - The Real Reason King Charles Hosted 3 State Visits Last Year, Something That Hasn't Happened Since 1988
Simon PerryJanuary 1, 2026 at 7:00 AM
0
Aaron Chown-WPA Pool/Getty
Queen Camilla, King Charles, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at Windsor Castle on Sept. 17, 2025 -
There were three state visits to the U.K. in 2025, marking the first time since 1988 that the British have hosted so many in one calendar year
The visit by President Donald Trump came between those of President Emmanuel Macron of France and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier
King Charles was helped in the hosting duties by Queen Camilla, Prince William and Kate Middleton
When Kate Middleton wowed in a new (for her!) tiara on Dec. 3, it not only gave royal watchers a new, historic headpiece to marvel over, but it represented a bonus for this year.
That's because 2025 was the first time in 37 years that there had been three incoming state visits to the U.K.
In July, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, arrived in Windsor, the home base for each of the visits this year due to the restoration work underway at Buckingham Palace in London. Then, in September, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were the guests of King Charles and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle.
Aaron Chown - Pool/Getty
King Charles and Queen Camilla, right, with the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Budenbender on Dec. 3, 2025
For the third visit, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Büdenbender, joined the royals around the table at St. George’s Hall in the castle on Dec. 3.
There are usually two visits in any year, although having an extra hosting gig isn't unprecedented. The last year that there were three incoming state visits in one calendar year was 1988.
This year was different because of the switch from a trip by President Trump. Initially proposed by the King to have been to one of his Scottish homes in the summer, it turned into a full state visit complete with pomp and ceremony. In his initial letter of invitation, handed to Trump in the Oval Office by British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in February 2025, King Charles had suggested an informal visit to one of his homes would also offer a "valuable chance to plan a historic second State Visit to the United Kingdom." (It was thought that any following visit would happen in 2026.)
However, as negotiations between both the White House and the U.K. government department tasked with organizing such diplomatic meetings unfolded, it wasn't possible to arrange due to both the King's and the president's schedules, PEOPLE was told in June.
Chris Jackson/Getty
Prince William and Princess Kate at the state banquet for French President Emmanuel Macron on July 8, 2025
With the U.S.A. being Britain’s most important ally, it became clear that a full state visit was the best outcome, so it was brought forward. The only time left would be September as the German President was set to come in the first days of December, and so Trump's visit went ahead on Sept. 17.
With King Charles being treated for cancer, the three incoming visits have had the added benefit of continuing to use the "soft power" influence that the royals bring to any ongoing negotiations by politicians without the monarch having to travel. While he has kept up a full schedule at home, King Charles and Queen Camilla's trips have been relatively short and short-haul in comparison with other years. They took a week-long trip to Italy in April (where they marked their 20th wedding anniversary), and the couple visited Canada in May for barely 24 hours. They also went to the Vatican to see Pope Leo for about a day in October.
Windsor Castle has been used for state visits this year because Buckingham Palace is undergoing a refit of its main services, like cabling and electric supply, plus a complete overhaul for much of the state rooms. But it has meant the royals were able to present a refreshing approach, using the historic town built around the 1,000-year-old castle. The summer visit by the French couple was met with clear skies and beautiful sunshine, and the first view of carriages containing heads of state and Prince William and Princess Kate helping host the visitors came in streets under the castle walls.
Aaron Chown - Pool/Getty
King Charles and Queen Camilla say farewell to the Macrons at Windsor Castle on July 9, 2025
Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
For President Trump, that wasn’t possible due to security concerns, with the only sight of him for anyone in the streets outside the castle being Marine One flying in from London, where he had stayed overnight. President Trump and Melania were met off the helicopter in Windsor's parkland by William and Kate, who were assigned welcoming duties in all three visits.
The carriage procession through the streets of Windsor returned for the German visitors in December, enabling ordinary people to catch a glimpse of the royals and their guests as the horse-drawn vehicles headed up the hill to the castle.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
