King Charles III and U.S. President Donald Trump raise glasses at Winfield House in London on June 4, 2019, marking Trump’s first state visit to Britain. Image: Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images via News Week.
(The Post News) – A multi-million-pound bill for UK taxpayers looms as US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrive for a two-day visit. King Charles is preparing to launch a royal welcome for the pair’s arrival on Tuesday.
The visit follows an agreement to reduce Europe’s dependency on Russian energy supplies and is intended to highlight the specifics of technology and energy deals between the United States and the European Union.
As a long-time figure of interest in all things royal, Trump’s arrival has prompted the nation’s leaders and the royal family to plan an elaborate program aimed at impressing the new international partner, according to the BBC. This would include a stay at Windsor Palace, a state banquet hosted by the King, and a meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Budget plans also account for heightened security in the wake of Trump’s recent assassination attempt and the high-profile killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The royal pageantry is expected to feature a carriage procession, the Beating Retreat ceremony, guards of honor, flypasts, historic carriages, and lavish banquets. This marks Trump’s second state visit hosted by a British monarch since 2019, making him the only US president to receive the honor twice.
How much will taxpayers be paying?
According to figures released under the Freedom of Information Act, Trump’s previous state visit cost taxpayers more than £5 million, equivalent to about $6.4 million today. More than a third of that budget went to policing.
It remains unclear whether the costs this time will be lower, since the president shortened the trip from three days to two and reduced public appearances, or whether expenses could match—or even exceed—previous totals due to heightened security demands.
The looming expense comes at a time of growing public scrutiny over royal spending. Earlier this year, taxpayers voiced frustration over the monarchy’s £86.3 million Sovereign Grant, with critics accusing the royal household of excessive and unnecessary use of public funds.
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