King Charles congratulates Donald Trump on inauguration – so is a new State Visit now on the cards?

King Charles has sent his congratulations to Donald Trump on his inauguration as 47th President of the United States.

As President Trump took the oath in the Capitol Rotunda, a private letter arrived in his in tray from The King, offering best wishes at the start of his second term in office.

It’s understood the letter also reflected on the ongoing ‘special relationship’ between the UK and the US.

That relationship could have a distinctly royal feel in the second Trump term as the 47th President has made no secret of his deep admiration for the House of Windsor.

President Trump has spoken of his huge respect for Queen Elizabeth II and had public words of praise for King Charles III. Just weeks after his election, he held a meeting with the Prince of Wales at the British embassy in Paris after both had attended the official re-opening of Notre Dame.

Now, speculation is high that a State Visit by President Trump and First Lady, Melania Trump, is being planned. It would be an historic one, the first time an elected politician has been given two State Visits to the UK.

There is every expectation the State Visit will take place, perhaps in 2026 which will see the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Donald Trump has already said he wants US wide celebrations for this moment and the likelihood of a royal visit to the US for such an event is also high. In 1976, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited for the 200th anniversary with Her Late Majesty focusing on that in her Christmas speech.

Donald and Melania Trump undertook a State Visit in 2019 when they were hosted at Buckingham Palace. This time round, the pageantry and pomp that accompany these important diplomatic events designed to bolster strong relations between the countries involved, would take place at Windsor Castle as the Palace is undergoing renovation work.

And that focus on strong relations is why this State Visit seems all but nailed on, even though the second Trump term is just hours old. With the President setting an agenda with a strong focus on US relationships around the world in his inaugural address, keeping the special relationship strong will be on the UK to do list for quite a while.

And it seems King Charles and the Royal Family could prove vital for that. The letter that landed in the White House on January 20th 2025 is just the start, it would seem.