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Kate Middleton and Prince William are playing a major role in the state visit of United States President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, both 43, were the first to greet the president, 79, and first lady, 55, as their helicopter landed on the grounds of Windsor Castle on Wednesday, Sept. 17.
As they shook hands, Trump praised Kate by saying she looked “so beautiful,” before telling William that he was looking forward to meeting with him: “We have lots to catch up with, and there’s been lots of changes.”
After they were officially welcomed by King Charles and Queen Camilla, the Trumps joined the royals in a carriage procession before enjoying lunch together inside the castle.
Following lunch, PEOPLE learned that William and Kate also had a private meeting with the Trumps. While the palace has not shared any details on what was discussed, the meeting was described as “warm and friendly.”
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Though the meeting was private, it could be an indicator of Prince William continuing to step into more of a statesman’s role as his father’s heir to the throne. He previously met with Trump, as well as then-first lady Jill Biden, at the reopening of Notre Dame in December 2024 as a representative of King Charles.
Two years prior, right after becoming the Prince of Wales, William received a special political welcome when he traveled to the U.S. to discuss bringing his Earthshot Prize to Boston. There, he and then-President Joe Biden shared a “friendly and substantive discussion,” and William received a tour of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum from the late president’s daughter, Ambassador Caroline Kennedy.
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The major event of the Trumps’ state visit is the opulent state banquet on Wednesday night. In addition to the royal family, the guest list of over 160 attendees is also expected to include U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as well as President Trump’s younger daughter, Tiffany Trump, and her husband, Michael Boulos.
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However, Ed Davey, leader of the U.K.’s Liberal Democrat party, announced last month that he would be boycotting the dinner in order to “send a message” to Trump and Starmer over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
“There is no honour like an invitation from the King, and not to accept his invitation goes against all of our instincts,” Davey said, per the BBC. “But I fear we could have a situation where Donald Trump comes to our country, is honoured with a lavish dinner at one of our finest palaces, yet no one reminds him that he has the power to stop the horrifying starvation and death in Gaza and get the hostages released.”
“Boycotting the banquet is the one way I can send a message to Donald Trump and Keir Starmer that they can’t close their eyes and wish this away. We have to speak up, they have to act. Donald Trump must act to end this humanitarian crisis.”
