King Charles III’s team prepares for Donald Trump’s upcoming state visit with a special exhibition at Windsor Castle
As preparations ramp up for former U.S. president Donald Trump’s state visit to the United Kingdom from September 16 to 18, Buckingham Palace is offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at the Royal Collection — a vast archive of art, books, and historical treasures owned by the monarchy. Trump and his wife Melania Trump will stay at Windsor Castle as guests of King Charles during the visit.
In the lead-up, the royal family’s official Instagram account has been sharing glimpses of how the estate readies itself for such an occasion. One of the most prominent features of any state visit is the Royal Exhibition, which showcases items carefully chosen from the collection to reflect ties between the two nations.
Royal librarian and Assistant Keeper of the Royal Archives Stella Panayotova explained how her team selects the pieces:
“For every state visit, we select material and prepare an exhibition. We are spoiled for choice, the collections are incredibly rich. We’re looking for historically significant material, intellectually enticing, sparkling material, and of course visually appealing, beautiful things.”
The chosen objects often range from rare books to works of art, and each must carry some “personal connection” to the visiting country. Panayotova said the goal is to create “a sense of a shared past, which is of course the most solid foundation for building understanding and common ground for the present.”
While the curators work on the exhibition, preparations are also underway elsewhere in the palace. The royal kitchen is planning the elaborate state banquet, and the Royal Mews is readying its horses and carriages to escort the visiting head of state in style through the Quadrangle at Windsor Castle.
