A State visit is a formal trip to the UK by a foreign head of state or government. It is arranged at the invitation of the monarch, on government advice, and is used to further Britain’s interests. It is an official occasion, and as such, involves significant ceremonial elements.

During a State visit, visiting leaders are welcomed by the King and Queen. This typically includes an inspection of the guard of honour at the Palace of Windsor, a private audience in the Green Drawing Room and a visit to St George’s Chapel, where the leader will lay a wreath at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II. It may also include a military parade, a flypast by the Red Arrows or other aircraft, and a state banquet.

The visit is paid for by the Crown (on the advice of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office) with costs covering accommodation, food, transport and incidentals during the State visit for the Principal and their Official Delegation. International air fares are normally the responsibility of the host government.

A state visit is not only a chance for pomp, with vigorous diplomatic efforts to reach agreements taking place around the ceremony. This was evident when Keir Starmer handed President Trump an invite from the King in the Oval Office in February, trying to ease tensions with a political opposite at a sensitive moment. Before Trump even touched down, it was announced that Google would invest PS5 billion in artificial intelligence in the UK.