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.
