Kate Middleton to play major role in Donald Trump state visit that has big change

US President Donald Trump is set to arrive in the UK next week for a three-day state visit, with his confirmed itinerary showcasing a major break from tradition - and a huge role for the Princess of Wales.

Trump’s historic visit will be the second time he has been invited to the UK, after already being hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth in 2019, making his trip to UK shores an unprecedented gesture towards the American leader.

Expected to touch down in the UK on September 16, Trump’s visit will have no public-facing events or elements on the first day, making a huge change in comparison to state visits by other world leaders.

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President Trump, accompanied by his wife First Lady Melania Trump, will arrive in the UK next Tuesday evening, where they will be greeted on behalf of the King by the ambassador of the United States of America and Viscount Hood, Lord-in-Waiting.

Buckingham Palace confirmed that there will be no public-facing elements of his trip, as the US leader will spend the first night of his visit within the private Windsor Castle estate.

On the second day of his trip, Trump will be officially welcomed by Prince William and Princess Kate, before being formally welcomed by the King and Queen as a royal salute is fired from the east lawn of Windsor Castle and at the Tower of London.

The Trumps will be treated to a carriage procession through the Windsor estate with Charles, Camilla, William and Kate along a route towards the castle that is lined by members of the Armed Forces, with three military bands from the Royal Marines, the Army and the RAF.

They will not, in contrast to French president Emmanuel Macron, enjoy a carriage ride through the town nor take a trip into London to see the Grave of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey.

This is due to the fact that Trump’s visit is likely to spark mass protests, with security and potential hostility from demonstrators likely to have been a major concern.

In a private moment, Mr and Mrs Trump will later visit the late Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb in St George’s Chapel, Windsor, and lay a wreath. The US president will then be treated to a flypast by the Red Arrows and UK and US F-35 military jets on the east lawn at Windsor Castle and a special beating retreat military ceremony.

The traditional grand state banquet is set to take place at Windsor Castle in the evening, with both Mr Trump and Charles set to give speeches as the glittering event gets underway.

The Prince and Princess of Wales will play a key part in the high-profile visit, designed to indulge Mr Trump’s well-known love of the British royal family.

As well as being tasked with the initial royal meeting of Mr and Mrs Trump on the morning of September 17 in the grounds of the Windsor estate, when they will accompany them to meet the King and Queen for an open-air greeting. The Trumps, the King, Camilla, William and Kate will then take part in a carriage procession through the estate to the castle.

Kate will also carry out a joint engagement with the First Lady the next day when they head to Frogmore Gardens to meet Chief Scout Dwayne Fields and members of the Scouts’ Squirrels programme as they learn about nature to achieve their Go Wild badge.

The First Lady will then travel to Chequers to join Mr Trump for the remainder of the final day’s programme before they depart later on Thursday September 18.