British Prime Minister Keir Starmer presented Trump with a written invitation to the United Kingdom for his second state visit on behalf of King Charles.
Starmer extended the King’s invitation Thursday during a press conference in the Oval Office at the White House, and Trump accepted the “unprecedented” invitation on the spot.
“I think the last state visit was a tremendous success. His Majesty the King wants to make this even better than that, so this is truly historic,” Prime Minister Starmer said in a video shared by ITV News
The exchange unfolded in front of the press as the two leaders acknowledged the significance of the gesture.
“He’s a beautiful man, a wonderful man. We appreciate — I’ve gotten to know him very well, actually. First term and now a second term,” Trump said.
“Perhaps you’d like to say what that very important paragraph —” he continued as he handed the premier the letter.
Starmer responded, “Yeah, so this is a letter from His Majesty the King. It’s an invitation for a second state visit.”
The prime minister elaborated.
“This is really special. This has never happened before, this is unprecedented.”
He went on to say, “So this is truly historic, an unprecedented second state visit. He wants to talk that through with you.”
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 27: (L-R) UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and U.S. President Donald Trump shake hands at a joint press conference in the East Room at the White House on February 27, 2025 in Washington, DC. Starmer is on his first visit to Washington since President Trump returned to the White House. Starmer’s trip comes shortly after he announced an increase in UK defense spending, ostensibly as a signal to Trump that the UK is prepared to bolster Europe’s security, and as he aims to broker a fair peace deal for Ukraine amid Trump’s warming relations with Russia. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)
Trump’s full attention was on the letter as he inspected it and remarked that it “says at Windsor,” which he described as “really something.”
Those in the room chuckled as Starmer said, “What I haven’t gotten yet is your answer.”
Trump responded enthusiastically.
US President Donald Trump holds a press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 27, 2025. Starmer is meeting Trump to plead for a US backstop to any Ukraine ceasefire, insisting it would be the only way to stop Russia’s Vladimir Putin from invading again. Starmer arrived in Washington late Wednesday to build on a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron, amid growing concerns in Europe that the US leader is about to sell Kyiv short in negotiations with Putin. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
“The answer is yes, on behalf of our wonderful first lady, Melania, and myself, the answer is yes,” he said.
“And we look forward to being there and honoring the King, honoring your country. Your country is a fantastic country, and it will be an honor to be there.” (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Peter Navarro Reveals The Real Plan Behind Trump’s New Tariffs)
Trump will become the first elected head of government to be invited for two state visits by a British monarch in the modern era, according to Reuters. The date for the historic visit was not set or announced.
Trump previously had a state visit with Queen Elizabeth in 2019. Before that, the late monarch invited the president for tea in 2018.
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