After a day filled with royal pomp and pageantry, President Donald Trump will meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the final day of the U.S. leader’s state visit to Britain

U.S. President Donald Trump, centre, and Kate, Princess of Wales, listens to Britain's King Charles during the State Banquet in Windsor Castle, England, on day one of U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump's second state visit to the UK, Wednesday Sept. 17, 2025. (Yui Mok/PA via AP, Pool Photo via AP)

AYLESBURY, England (AP) — After a day filled with royal pomp and pageantry, President Donald Trump will meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday, the final day of the U.S. leader’s state visit to Britain.

The two leaders are expected to sign a major deal on tech investment, discuss steel tariffs and potentially tricky topics including the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

On Wednesday, the president and first lady Melania Trump were feted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle with gold-trimmed carriages, scarlet-clad soldiers, artillery salutes and a lavish banquet in a grand hall.

No U.S. president, or any other world leader, has ever had the honor of a second U.K. state visit.

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Starmer will give the Trumps homemade treats — and a scarf laden with symbolism

No state visit is complete without gifts.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s offerings to U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife include a taste of the English countryside and a touch of silk diplomacy.

Starmer will be giving the Trumps a picnic basket with homemade jams made from strawberries and raspberries grown on the grounds of his country retreat and shortbread created by the estate’s chef.

The first lady will be given a colorful silk scarf based on art created by Ukrainian children as a tribute to her effort to draw attention to their plight.

Melania Trump wrote a letter her husband hand delivered to Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting in Alaska last month, urging him to consider the children as the leaders discussed a peace plan with Ukraine.

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President Donald Trump delivers a speech during a State Banquet at Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England, Sept. 17, 2025. (Phil Noble/Pool Photo via AP)

Starmer has led European efforts to end the conflict and has tried to cajole Trump into being a stronger supporter of Ukraine.

The prime minister is giving Trump a custom-made red box that is typically given to government ministers and filled with official papers. The box with the presidential seal and title on it symbolizes the special relationship between the two countries.

Day 2 turns from pageantry to politics

The final day of U.S. President Donald Trump’s state visit to the U.K. turns from pomp and pageantry to politics and policy as he meets British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Trump and first lady Melania are due to bid farewell to King Charles III at Windsor Castle and then fly by helicopter to Chequers, the prime minister’s country retreat where the agenda will include a heavy dose of tech investment talk.

The leaders are expected to sign a “tech prosperity deal” bringing jobs and investment in AI and nuclear energy. Starmer faces potentially awkward discussions on Ukraine and the Middle East, amid domestic political challenges.

State banquet honoring Trump features a bounty of royal finery

Beefeaters in traditional red uniforms and ruff collars lined the entrance to St. George’s Hall at Windsor Castle on Wednesday night as Britain brought out its royal finery for the state banquet honoring U.S. President Donald Trump.

Inside, the grand Waterloo table was set with 1,462 pieces of silver that sparkles in the light from 139 candles. Seasonal flower arrangements, handpicked from the castle grounds only hours before, made the hall smell like an autumnal garden.

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President Donald Trump, center left, speaks during a State Banquet at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool)

About 100 staff members are on hand to serve 160 guests, who include tech leaders, athletes and Britain’s top political leaders.

Each place has several glasses so the guests can sample a variety of wines. The wine list includes Wiston Estate Cuvee 2016, Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello 2000, Pol Roger Extra Cuvee de Reserve 1998, and Domaine Bonneau de Martray Corton-Charlemagne grand cru 2018.

President Donald Trump and Britain's King Charles III inspect the guard of honor during an arrival ceremony at Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump, Britain's King Charles III, Queen Camilla and Melania Trump, center, review the Guard of Honour at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, Wednesday Sept. 17, 2025. (Chris Jackson/Pool Photo via AP)