Two prominent members of the royal family were absent from the state banquet held at Windsor Castle for Donald Trump’s US state visit. While the King, Queen, and the Prince and Princess of Wales were present to welcome Trump and First Lady Melania, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, were notably missing.
Their absence was due to their upcoming four-day visit to Japan, starting the next day. The royal couple’s itinerary includes engagements in Tokyo and Osaka, focusing on themes such as youth opportunities, sustainability, innovation, education, and women in leadership, highlighting the strong bilateral relationship between the UK and Japan.
During their visit, the Duke and Duchess will visit the UK and Japanese Pavilions at EXPO 2025, Osaka, Kansai, aiming to address global issues by bringing together people and innovations from around the world.
This trip marks a significant international role for the Duchess of Edinburgh within the monarchy, as she continues to expand her global engagements. Prince Edward’s last visit to Japan was in 2004, while this trip serves as the Duchess’s first official visit to the country.
Meanwhile, the King and Queen hosted a star-studded event at Windsor Castle, welcoming President Trump on the second day of his UK visit. The day included official welcomes by various members of the royal family, followed by a carriage procession through the Windsor estate with military bands from the Royal Marines, Army, and RAF.
The Trumps also paid respects at the late Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb, witnessed a flypast by the Red Arrows and military jets, and participated in a special military ceremony. The grand state banquet at Windsor Castle, featuring speeches by Mr. Trump and Prince Charles, marked the conclusion of the day’s events.