Thousands of protesters took to the streets of central London on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, to voice their opposition to US President Donald Trump’s state visit to the United Kingdom. The demonstrations, organized by the Stop Trump U.K. coalition, highlighted a deep division in public sentiment, occurring as the President was being feted with royal pageantry at Windsor Castle.
Mass Demonstrations in the Capital
The “Trump Not Welcome” rally saw a broad coalition of approximately 50 groups converging in London’s Portland Place, before marching towards Parliament Square. Protesters carried banners with slogans such as “No to the racism, no to Trump,” and “Stop arming Israel,” reflecting a diverse range of grievances against Trump’s policies, including those on immigration, climate change, and human rights. Smaller versions of the iconic “Trump baby blimp” were also visible, a nod to protests during his 2019 visit. Organizers stated their aim was to show unity against “Trumpism” and promote an alternative vision based on peace and social justice.
A Large-Scale Policing Operation
In anticipation of the demonstrations, London’s police force deployed a significant contingent of 1,600 officers, including 500 from other forces, to manage the crowds and ensure public safety. Road closures were implemented across central London to accommodate the march, which began assembling in the afternoon and culminated in a rally. While substantial, the number of participants was noted to be smaller than during Trump’s previous state visit in 2019, which drew even larger crowds.
Royal Welcome Amidst Public Disapproval
Concurrently, President Trump was receiving a lavish welcome at Windsor Castle from King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Catherine, Princess of Wales. The visit featured a ceremonial guard of honor, a carriage procession, and a state banquet, with events largely staged away from central London. This strategy aimed to provide enhanced security and potentially insulate the President from the direct impact of the protests. However, polls indicate a significant portion of the British public holds a negative view of Trump, with reports suggesting as high as 78% of Britons have an unfavorable opinion. A YouGov poll from mid-September 2025 indicated that 45% of Britons believed inviting Trump for a second state visit was the wrong decision, while only 30% thought it was right.
Background and Societal Concerns
The state visit, intended to bolster the trade and security relationship between the UK and the US, unfolded against a backdrop of international tensions and domestic societal concerns. Critics, including London Mayor Sadiq Khan, have voiced strong disapproval of Trump’s rhetoric and policies, describing him as having “fanned the flames of divisive, far-right politics.” The protest movement encompasses a wide spectrum of society, drawing in activists focused on climate action, anti-racism, and pro-Palestinian solidarity, underscoring broad anxieties about the direction of both US and global politics. The discourse surrounding the visit also touches upon the UK’s cultural and societal values, with protesters aiming to send a message that Trump’s politics are not representative of the British people’s ideals.
Balancing Diplomacy and Dissent
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government is navigating a delicate balance, seeking to strengthen diplomatic ties and secure economic investments, including pledges from major tech companies, while acknowledging the widespread public dissent. The timing of the visit, with key meetings scheduled at Windsor Castle and the Prime Minister’s country estate, Chequers, reflects an effort to manage the optics of a visit that, while welcomed by the government for diplomatic purposes, is met with significant opposition from a substantial segment of the British society. This news is trending globally, reflecting the ongoing and evolving international relationship and the persistent debate surrounding political leadership and societal values in contemporary news and culture.
