The US Ambassador to the Court of St James has heaped praise on the US President ahead of his state visit, saying he was a ‘delightful’ man and a ‘good grandfather’
US President Donald Trump has been granted the honour of a second state visit by King Charles III, where he is expected to join the monarch and his wife, Queen Camilla, at Windsor Castle in mid-September.
Ahead of this unprecedented second visit, the US ambassador to the Court of St. James has offered a two-word assessment of his boss, suggesting that he may have been invited back because he’s “charming and funny.”
Typically, second-term presidents are not offered a state visit but are usually invited for tea or lunch with the monarch.
Ambassador Warren Stephens told The Times that Trump was absolutely delightful company when he and his wife brought their extended family into the Oval Office.
Ambassador Stephens said he was particularly charming with the younger children: “He opened his desk drawer and gave them all coins and showed them the American Declaration of Independence. You can tell he is a good grandfather; he has all his family photos.”
The ambassador added that the bust of Winston Churchill, which was notoriously removed from the Oval Office during President Obama’s administration, is now very much back in its place.
He also mentioned that the president is a first-class golfer: ” I did not play very well and he’s a surprisingly good golfer. He played terrifically. He can drive; he can putt.”
The billionaire ambassador, who donated $1 million to MAGA Inc. , a super PAC that supports Donald Trump added: “The president and his son Eric beat my son, me and my son-in-law.”
Ambassador Stephens went on to say that he was equally charmed when he met with the King after taking office in May: “It was a thrill. Harriet and I drove to Buckingham Palace in a gilded carriage.
“The King was most gracious with his time. Frankly, I was nervous. We had rehearsed here with members of the royal staff, but he was so disarming. He was delightful.”
Widespread demonstrations against President Trump are anticipated during his UK visit.
A major protest has been organised for Wednesday 17 September 2025, coinciding with the opening day of Donald Trump’s state visit to Britain. Additional action is expected to occur near Windsor Castle.
Stop Trump Coalition spokesperson Seema Syeda said: “This will be a massive protest against Trump’s state visit. Trump and his authoritarian politics are not welcome here. Keir Starmer should not be rolling out the red carpet for Trump.”
“They are already running scared. They have chosen the first possible date that stops Trump from being able to address Parliament. We know that Trump is deeply unpopular with the public.”
She added: “We mobilised hundreds of thousands of people against Trump during his first term, and he has only got worse since then. We are working at speed to bring together all the movements – for democracy, for equality, against climate change, for a free Palestine – to show our unity against Trump.”
However, despite potential public backlash, Trump expects a cordial reception from the Royal Family.
Speaking in April, he declared: “I’m a friend of Charles, I have great respect for King Charles and the family, William. We have really just a great respect for the family.”