Pool Reports of September 17, 2025

Out of town pool report #1 - Windsor Castle

Good morning from Windsor Castle, where Britain has rolled out the most British, overcast, grey sky possible. It's 63F / 17C and ground is damp but so fair rain holding off.

Pool has been swept and is now holding in a building inside the castle complex. On the drive in, we passed the playing fields of Eton College, while there were US and UK flags on lampposts along Windsor high street. Light crowds and one person holding a flagpole with British and Israeli flags. The royal standard is flying above the castle, indicating that the king is in residence.

Just a reminder that we are not yet with POTUS and FLOTUS, who stayed the night at the US ambassador's residence in Winfield House, London. FPPO we do not expect to see them land at Windsor and we are told our first sight of them is likely to be on their carriage ride through Windsor Estate. WH says they will inform us about both their departure from Winfield House and wheels down here, but you may well see those events first on TV.

In case useful, here's the program we have so far:

12.20pm: Arrival ceremony (pool). Prince William and Catherine will greet the Trumps at Windsor Castle grounds, accompany Trumps to meet King Charles III and Queen Camilla, royal salute fired from East Lawn, followed by carriage procession through Windsor Estate to castle.

1.05pm: Private luncheon (closed press)

3.00pm: St George's chapel and wreath laying at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II (pool)

4.25pm: Beating retreat military ceremony, followed by flypast by F-35s and Red Arrows. (pool)

8.30pm: State Banquet (restricted photo pool)

Please reach out if any questions.

Out of town pool report #2 - POTUS rotors up from Winfield

The White House says Marine One is rotors up from Winfield House en route to Windsor Castle as of 11.55am

Out of town pool report #3 - M1 wheels down Windsor

Marine One could be seen flying over the main tower of Windsor Castle, accompanied by what appeared to be two British police helicopters at 12.08pm.

POTUS and FLOTUS were wheels down on M1 at 12.14pm, per WH.

As pool waited in the Quadrangle, soldiers in huge black bearskin hats, scarlet tunics and black trousers, plus a group in kilts, white boots and green tunics, marched in to the sound of a marching band and took their positions for POTUS and FLOTUS arrival.

Beefeaters in red ceremonial dress lined up behind the white dais where POTUS and King Charles III will survey the honor guard.

Out of town pool report #4 - Castle quadrangle arrival

The carriage procession, led by an opulent black and gold coach carrying POTUS and King Charles and pulled by six speckled white and gray horses, pulled into the huge stone quadrangle of Windsor Castle at 12.34pm.

The military band started playing the Star Spangled Banner as the carriages moved clockwise around the gravel path, followed by by God Save the King.

The carriage pulled up at the white dais beneath the crenellated walls and towers and they disembarked. POTUS, in a dark suit, King Charles, also in a dark suit, Melania in what appeared to be a dark skirt and jacket and hat, and Queen Camilla, dressed in royal blue, stood as the Star spangled Banner played again. Trump saluted.

William and Catherine were stood to the right hand side of the dais.

Us officials including Rubio, Bessent Wiles and Scavino are stood separately beneath an ornate doorway — spotted by co-pooler Nikki Schwab and her opera glasses.

Trump, accompanied by an officer in a bearskin hat, with the king following slightly behind, then walked to begin the inspection of the guard.

It's all very formal.

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The honour guard consists of detachments from three UK regiments — the Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards and Scots Guards. France's President Macron only got two, a UK official told reporters.

Before POTUS arrival pool could hear the sound of the 41-gun salute echoing in the quadrangle, while bagpipers played.

This is the carriage procession line-up, per Uk officials

The Irish State Coach
The King
The President of the United States

The Scottish State Coach
The Queen
The First Lady

Semi-State Landau
The Prince of Wales
The Princess of Wales
The Honourable Warren Stephens, Ambassador of the United States of America
Mrs. Stephens, Spouse of Ambassador Warren Stephens

Ascot Landau
The Honourable Marco Rubio, Secretary of State of the United States of America and Acting National Security Advisor
The Honourable Scott Bessent, Secretary of the Treasury of the United State of AmericaThe Honourable Susie Wiles, Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff
The Honourable Steve Witkoff, Assistant to the President and Special Envoy for Peace Missions

Out of town pool report #5 - Arrival ceremony over

After the inspection, Trump and the king returned to the dais.

Soldiers on horseback in ceremonial uniforms filed out and then the different detachments marched off in order, playing music. The Scots Guards, playing bagpipes were last to leave, perhaps in a nod to Trump, whose mother was Scottish and who has two golf courses in Scotland.

The Trumps and the royals then left the stage towards the Sovereign's Entrance and went for lunch. Pool is now being taken to hold in a rather stunning arched room inside the castle.

Stephen Miller, Steven Cheung, Karoline Leavitt, Margo Martin and Will Scharf were also among those in attendance at the ceremony, by the way.

Out of town pool report #6 - POTUS and king

Was hard to see from the distance pool was at, but worth noting that footage from the arrival shows POTUS and King Charles III chatting and joking as they inspected the troops, with the king at one point putting his hand on Trump's back, and the pair stopping to talk with the sword-wielding officer who escorted them.

Pool still holding. Cucumber (and tuna) sandwiches were offered.

Out of town pool report #7 - Royal collection

Limited pool with one print and one TV plus full photo was led into the Royal Collection Display. It's a very good ornate room with green walls and gold trim, with glass-fronted cabinets filled with royal-looking crockery.

POTUS, FLOTUS, King Charles and Queen Camilla entered the room from a side door and inspected artefacts laid out on five tables about US-British relations. They walked along slowly looking at the displays.

"Wow," said POTUS as he looked at documents about US independence.

"That's fascinating" said Charles as he pointed out another table about a transatlantic cable.

"That's so amazing," added Trump.

"Are you enjoying it, are you having a good time?" Trump said to pool before leaving. Pool was asked by WH to refrain from shouting questions as your pooler raised a hand.

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Out of town pool report #8 - William, Catherine and Rubio

Prince William and Princess Catherine entered next with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and they also surveyed the exhibits. Next was a group of officials including Scott Bessent.

FLOTUS, whose face was largely obscured from view by her plum colored hat, chatted occasionally to Camilla during their viewing.

Voices were very low but on listening back can hear POTUS mentioning John Adams at one point and admiring some maps.

Earlier, a helpful royal official explained the tables to us. The first table is about early encounters with colonists, and 18th century watercolors; the second — which apparently POTUS is particularly interested in, with US due to mark its 250 anniversary next year — relates to US independence and George III; the third is about the first transatlantic cable and has messages between Queen Victoria and President Buchanan, and from President Lincoln to Queen Victoria after the death of Prince Albert; the fourth is about a hot dog picnic in the 1930s that young Queen Elizabeth wrote about; and the fifth was about President Eisenhower and a large glass vessel that he gave Queen Elizabeth during the 1957 state visit, plus a photo of President Reagan and the Queen during his state visit.

Pool is now lined up for chapel visit.

Out of town pool report #9 - Chapel, wreath for QEII

POTUS and FLOTUS arrived at St George's Chapel at 3.10pm in the Beast, which rolled down the road a short distance from the main castle complex. He briefly pumped a fist at the pool before entering.

Pool was then led into the 14th century gothic chapel, where only hushed voices could be heard.

WH officials confirmed that POTUS was laying a wreath at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II, who hosted him during his first state visit in 2019, and died in 2022. But this took place out of the view of the pool.

Officials including Susie Wiles, Rubio, Bessent and Scavino are sitting on rows of chairs in the nave.

A choir of 16 children is waiting at the front.

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Out of town pool report #10 - chapel ends

Trump was greeted by two church officials in red robes. He and FLOTUS then took their seats and the choir, also in red robes, sang a hymn with the words 'Gloria in Excelsis', accompanied by the chapel organ.

Afterwards POTUS and FLOTUS went to speak to the girls and boys in the choir. He spent several minutes chatting and there was some laughter.

At the end they all posed for a picture and Trump said: "See those people over there? That's the media." (via keen-eared Nikki Schwab).

POTUS and FLOTUS were then given a short tour, moving to the wood paneled area of the chapel known as the quire, where officials pointed out some details. POTUS spoke to them for a few minutes but it wasn't possible to hear what he was saying.

Pool was led out at 3.38pm

Out of town pool report #11 - Beating Retreat

POTUS, King Charles, FLOTUS and Camilla descended the stone steps from Windsor Castle garden to watch the Beating Retreat ceremony on the East Lawn at 4.17pm.

As they climbed the short steps to a white, covered dais to watch, Trump briefly put his hand on King Charles's back.

All four then sat down at the same time.

Marching bands in ceremonial uniforms are now marching on to the lawn. The US Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps also played, dressed in Revolutionary War era uniforms, and playing Yankee Doodle Dandy.

The UK ministry says it the first time Beating Retreat has been performed at a state visit and says 200 military are involved.

And if you were wondering what Beating Retreat is, as many of the pool were, here's the MoD's explanation:

"Beating Retreat is a military spectacle and ceremony which originated in the early years of organised warfare and symbolises the end of the day when camp gates were closed and ceremonial flags were lowered. The ceremony takes place on Horse Guards Parade every year in June, when the salute is taken by a member of the Royal Family."

Tracking reports that part of planned flypast cancelled, but no confirmation yet

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Out of town pool note #12 - Red Arrows

The Red Arrows, the Royal Air Force display team, roared overhead at the end of the ceremony, leaving trails of red white and blue smoke over Windsor Castle. Pooler didn't spot POTUS reaction but the guests applauded.

There was no sign of the US-made F-35s belonging to the USAF and RAF that were also meant to take part. There was low cloud but no rain.

During the ceremony POTUS leaned over to say something to FLOTUS when troops playing bagpipes marched on to the lawn.

Afterwards POTUS and King Charles mingled with some military families for several minutes.

As they went back up the steps, Trump once again put his hand on the king's back (h/t Nikki Schwab).

Auld Lang Syne, Land of Hope and Glory, Eternal Father Strong to Save, and the Battle Hymn of the Republic (Glory, Glory Hallelujah) were among the songs played during the ceremony.

Out of town pool report #13 - Banquet menu and details

Royal officials gave journalists a preview of the State Dinner, featuring a walkthrough of the giant table beneath the towering vaults of St George's Hall.

A scan of the place settings showed that one side of the table, the arrangement of key players is, from left to right, Marco Rubio, King Charles, President Trump, Princess Catherine.

On the opposite side, also from left to right: Scott Bessent, Queen Camilla, Melania Trump and Prince William.

British PM Starmer was placed next to Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman and Jeanette Rubio.

Other guests on other parts of the table included: Rupert Murdoch, Apple's Tim Cook seated next to Tiffany Trump, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Open AI's Sam Altman... and US Masters-winning golfer Nick Faldo.

160 guests in total

The banquet table is 47.3 m (155 feet) long -- equivalent to 2.7 Marine Ones -- has 139 candles, 1452 pieces of cutlery, and just over 100 staff.

The table itself takes a week to put together, a task that was completed on Sunday. Cutlery was then laid on Monday.

The royal household put the seating plan together based on guests provided by the UK government and the White House.

The menu is as follows. Guests have cards with the menu in French, but there are several large cards with the English version placed on easels around the room.

Starter: Panna Cotta de Cresson et OEufs de Caille sur Sablé de Parmesan (Hampshire Watercress Panna Cotta with Parmesan Shortbread and Quail Egg Salad)
Main: Ballotine de Poulet Fermier en Robe de Courgettes (Organic Norfolk Chicken Ballotine wrapped in Courgettes, with a Thyme and Savoury Infused Jus)
Dessert: Bombe Glacée Cardinal (Vanilla Ice Cream Bombe with Kentish Raspberry Sorbet interior with lightly poached Victoria Plums)

As Trump doesn't drink alcohol, royal officials said the presidential team would tell them what soft drinks he would be drinking

But he wine list features a California red, Ridge Vineyards, Monte Bello, 2000.

There's also an English sparkling wine, Wiston Estate, Cuvée, 2016; a white, Domaine Bonneau de Martray, Corton-Charlemagne, Grand Cru, 2018; and for champagne, Pol Roger, Extra Cuvée de Réserve, 1998.

Pol Roger was chosen because it was Winston Churchill's favorite and Trump has often expressed admiration for Britain's wartime leader.

After dinner guests will be served Warre's 1945 Vintage Port -- in recognition of Donald J. Trump as the 45th, as well as the 47th, President; Hennessy 1912 Cognac Grande Champagne, from The President's mother's birth year; and Bowmore Queen's Cask 1980, Islay, a gift to the late Queen Elizabeth in 1980, which was bottled for her Golden Jubilee in 2002.

They've also created a special cocktail called Transatlantic Whisky Sour, "a UK/US twist on the classic Whisky Sour," blending Johnnie Walker Black, marmalade, pecan foam and garnished with a toasted marshmallow set on a star-shaped biscuit, "evoking the warmth of a fireside S'more."

Flowers include handpicked seasonal flowers and herbs from the gardens at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and The Savill Garden in Windsor Great Park.

The playlist meanwhile includes some Trump favorites including Nessun Dorma, Tiny Dancer and a James Bond Medley, which have been played at his rallies.

Out of town pool report #14 - POTUS and FLOTUS outfits

Pool photos have come out showing Trump in white tie, Melania in a yellow gown with what appears to a pink belt, Charles in white tie with a blue sash, and Camilla in a blue gown with a tiara, as they head to the State Banquet.

Guests in white tie and evening gowns have begin entering St George's Hall, which print poolers are watching on a video feed, as only photo have been allowed in (in black tie).

POTUS is due to enter formally soon as part of a procession.

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Out of town pool report #15 - King's speech on Trump peace efforts, Ukraine

POTUS and King Charles entered at the head of the procession at 8.51 pm, followed by FLOTUS and Queen Camilla. Tiffany Trump and her husband Michael Boulos were also in the procession, along with Rubio, Bessent etc.

After the guests sat, Charles read his speech. Key lines on Ukraine, Trump's peace efforts, and the UK-US bond below.

"As we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence next year, it is remarkable to think just how far we have come.

"I cannot help but wonder what our forebears from 1776 would make of this friendship today….Today, however, we celebrate a relationship between our two countries that surely neither Washington nor King George III could possibly have imagined. The ocean may still divide us, but in so many other ways we are now the closest of kin."

Trump gave a smile when Charles said:

"Mr. President, you have spoken of your pride in your British roots. In fact, not only have you set foot on British soil twice in the last two months alone, but I understand that British soil makes for rather splendid golf courses."

He also laughed at this: "Had the media succeeded in the 1970s in their own attempt at deepening the special relationship, I myself might have been married off within the Nixon family!"

Charles paid tribute to business growth and 'shared discovery' on nuclear science and the human genome.

On Ukraine "In two World Wars, we fought together to defeat the forces of tyranny. Today, as tyranny once again threatens Europe, we and our allies stand together in support of Ukraine, to deter aggression and secure peace."

Praised Trump's peace efforts: "Our countries are working together in support of crucial diplomatic efforts, not least of which, Mr. President, is your own personal commitment to finding solutions to some of the world's most intractable conflicts, in order to secure peace."

Final reference to UK-US ties: "Mr. President, Mrs. Trump - the bond between our two nations is indeed a remarkable one… In renewing our bond tonight, we do so with unshakeable trust in our friendship and in our shared commitment to independence and liberty."

"Therefore, as we celebrate this unparalleled partnership, allow me to propose a toast - to President Trump and the First Lady, and to the health, prosperity and happiness of the people of the United States of America."

Pls check against transcript

Out of town pool report #16 - Trump says visit 'one of the highest honors of my life'

POTUS rose and spoke for about six minutes.

"It's a lot of presidents, and this was the second state visit, and that's the first, and maybe that's going to be the last time, I hope it is actually" -- which got a laugh.

Then adds, in a serious tone, that the visit is "one of the highest honors of my life."

Trump says great to see Princess Catherine, who is recovering from cancer, looking "so radiant, so healthy and so beautiful"

Hailed British achievements including ending slavery.

On US-UK relationship

The word special does not begin to do it justice."

"Were like two notes in one chord, or two verses in the same poem."

Returns to a favorite theme, says US is "doing unbeiilevable, one year ago we were a very sick country, now we're the hottest country in the world."

Says of UK and US: "we must continue to stand for the values of the English speaking world"

Out of town pool report #17 - Lid and final Trump quotes

Pool has been kicked out of the hold and is now moving to vans. The WH has also called a lid as the dinner continues.

Here are a few more quotes though.

POTUS made a reference to free speech, an issue the White House has highlighted previously in UK and Europe.

"The British Empire laid the foundations of law, liberty, free speech, and individual rights virtually everywhere."

He got a laugh when after paying tribute to Charles for achievements including 'restoring life to the streams' , he added that Charles "stood in line and shook about 150 hands. And the king knew every single person and every single company. And some of them had bad names like X, Y, Z, dash, Q, three. And he knew every one of them. I think he did because nobody was complaining. I was very impressed with that."

Said he had raised a 'remarkable son' in Prince William, adding of William: "We've gotten to know you, and I think you're going to have an unbelievable success in future."

Final line: "On behalf of all Americans, I offer a toast to one of the great friendships. to two great countries and to His Majesty, King Charles III, a very, very special man and also a very, very special queen."

Afterwards POTUS and Charles exchanged a few words before the feed was cut.

Many thanks to fellow poolers for help today, especially the Mail's tireless Nikki Schwab.