The notable visit aligns with a U.K. parliamentary recess, which could help avoid a diplomatic conflict. British MPs, who have varied opinions of Trump, will be away from Westminster, some attending their annual party conferences.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivered King Charles’s invitation letter to Trump during a significant trip to the White House in February. The U.K. prime minister told Trump that the second state visit would be “truly historic” and “unprecedented.” Usually, second-term presidents are invited for more informal events like lunch or tea with the monarch, rather than a full state visit.
However, some members of the governing Labour Party argue Trump shouldn’t receive the opportunity.
Labour MP Kate Osborne wrote to Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle in April, asking him to prevent Trump from addressing parliament, and introduced a parliamentary motion stating it would be “inappropriate for President Trump to address Parliament” due to his record of “misogynism, racism and xenophobia.” The motion has 20 signatories.
This situation contrasts sharply with French President Emmanuel Macron, who addressed British lawmakers during his state visit to the U.K. last week.
The House of Commons speaker’s office stated: “Any request made to address the houses of parliament will be considered in the usual way.”
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