Kate Middleton and First Lady Melania Trump are set to team up for their first joint engagement during next week’s U.S. state visit to the U.K.
On Sept. 10, Buckingham Palace announced details of the visit, which will bring President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania, 55, to Britain from Sept. 16 to 18. The itinerary highlights a rare joint outing for Princess Kate, 43, and the American First Lady. Kate and her husband, Prince William, will also officially welcome the couple on Sept. 17, following their arrival the previous evening.
On Thursday, Sept. 18, the Princess of Wales and Melania will step out at Frogmore Gardens in Windsor, where they’ll join the U.K.’s Chief Scout Dwayne Fields and members of the Scouts’ Squirrels program as youngsters explore nature while earning their “Go Wild” badge.
The visit is part of the state trip being hosted by King Charles. Kate, who was a Brownie as a child, has served as Joint President of the Scout Association since 2020.
The Princess of Wales has also cited nature as a source of support while she was undergoing treatment for cancer last year. Princess Kate announced in March 2024 that she was receiving cancer treatment, said in September that she completed chemotherapy and shared in January that she is in remission.
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In March, Princess Kate joined Fields and some young Scouts for a visit to the Lake District, one of her family’s favorite spots, and Fields told PEOPLE what Princess Kate shared about how the outdoors brought her solace during her cancer journey.
“She would say, ‘During my recovery, I spent a lot of time in the outdoors because that’s where I felt at peace.’ Or ‘myself and the family come out to the Lakes as often as we can,’ ” the Chief Scout said. “When people speak about themselves, it feels like they are giving you something, giving a little bit away, and not just there to take. That’s her superpower. She’s a wonderfully warm person and invites you into a conversation.”
As the Prince and Princess of Wales, Princess Kate and Prince William have played an elevated royal role in state visits following King Charles’ accession to the throne, and will continue with that duty during the state visit from the U.S.
On Sept. 17, William and Kate will greet the Trumps upon their arrival at the grounds of Windsor Castle and accompany them to meet King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Following the formal welcome, the Prince and Princess of Wales will join Trump, Melania, King Charles and Queen Camilla in a carriage procession through Windsor to Windsor Castle, where the state visit is being hosted.
A Guard of Honor inspection and military march past will then play out, before the King and Queen host lunch in the State Dining room of the castle, where a special display of items from the Royal Collection relating to the U.S. will be on view.
That evening, King Charles, 76, Queen Camilla, 77, and other members of the royal family will host a state banquet at Windsor Castle, which might mean a tiara alert for Queen Camilla and Princess Kate.
The trip will make history as Trump will become the first elected political leader in modern memory to be invited for two state visits by a British sovereign.
Before she steps out with Kate next Thursday, Melania will also have an outing with Queen Camilla as they tour Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House and the Royal Library at Windsor Castle.
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