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We won't pay for Windsor state visits, council says

Stuart Rust,South of Englandand
Patrick O'Hagan,Berkshire political reporter
News imagePA Media King Charles stands at a large banquet table and appears to be delivering a speech from a piece of paper. The US president Donald Trump is sat in a chair next to him. PA Media
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead said it had not been reimbursed for three state visits it supported in 2025

A council has said it will not support any more state visits after the costs of hosting Donald Trump at Windsor Castle last year were not reimbursed.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead said it had spent at least £350,000 on visits in 2025, including that of French president Emmanuel Macron in July.

The council said the same funding could have paid the salaries of nine primary school teachers for a year.

Next month the President of Nigeria is due to come to Windsor to meet King Charles. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) was contacted for a comment.

The council said: "While we appreciate the wider impact this may have for our multi-agency partners, with planning already under way for the visit in March by the president of Nigeria, we don't have a budget for this support.

"And, quite simply, local taxpayers can't continue to be expected to shoulder the burden of decisions made by government to host state visits in Windsor."

News imageLynne Jones, a woman with long blonde hair wearing hooped earrings, stands facing the camera in front Windsor Castle.
Councillor Lynne Jones said the government needed to provide assurances on funding before the council could support further visits

Council deputy leader Lynne Jones said the authority was still talking to the government about the upcoming visit, but would only do "the basics".

"We're not prepared to go beyond that without that formal reassurance that the costs will be reimbursed," she said.

"We enjoy the events that are here. We understand that Windsor Castle is a big draw.

"We like the fact that our borough hosts these events - and we're very very successful at doing them - but we really cannot accept that our residents are having to pay for a central government event."

News imageAFP King Charles addresses the banquet's guests, who line a long table covered in flowers, lamps and table-wear.AFP
Among the guests at the French president's state visit were Dame Kristin Scott-Thomas, Sir Mick Jagger and Sir Elton John

Windsor also welcomed German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier in 2025.

The matter was raised in the House of Commons by Maidenhead MP Joshua Reynolds in January, who asked when the costs would be reimbursed.

Responding, Chris Elmore - parliamentary under-secretary of state in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office - said: "The costs of state visits have historically been shared across a number of departments and agencies.

"The allocation of costs for visits hosted at Windsor Castle is currently under review, and we will keep [Reynolds] informed on the outcome."

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