Two key members of the royal family were notably absent from the state banquet held at Windsor Castle during Donald Trump’s US state visit. While the King, Queen, Prince, and Princess of Wales were present to greet Trump and First Lady Melania, Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, were not in attendance.
Their absence was attributed to their upcoming four-day visit to Japan starting the following day. The royal couple’s itinerary includes engagements in Tokyo and Osaka, focusing on themes such as youth opportunity, sustainability, innovation, education, and women in leadership, highlighting the strong bilateral relationship between the UK and Japan.
During their visit, the Duke and Duchess are scheduled to visit the UK and Japanese Pavilions at EXPO 2025 in Osaka, aiming to address global issues by bringing together people and innovations from around the world.
This visit is significant as the Duchess of Edinburgh has assumed a more prominent international role within the monarchy this year. While Prince Edward previously visited Japan in 2004, this trip marks the Duchess’s first official visit to the country.
Despite their absence from the US state banquet, Prince Edward and Sophie were present during the French state visit in July, showcasing their commitment to diplomatic engagements. The state banquet marked the conclusion of the second day of President Trump’s visit to the UK, where he was warmly received by members of the royal family.
The visit included a carriage procession through the Windsor estate, a visit to St George’s Chapel, and a special military ceremony featuring a flypast by the Red Arrows and UK and US military jets. The grand state banquet at Windsor Castle, with speeches from both Mr. Trump and Prince Charles, capped off the eventful day.
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