The United Kingdom is set to host a number of high-profile state visits in 2023, including from US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Biden’s visit is expected to take place in June and will mark the first time a US president has visited the UK in over a decade. The trip is seen as a key opportunity to reaffirm the “special relationship” between the two countries.
Xi’s visit is also expected to take place in June and will be the first time a Chinese head of state has visited the UK in over a decade. The trip is seen as an opportunity to deepen economic and political ties between the two countries.
Other state visits expected to take place in 2023 include the Emir of Qatar, the King of Bahrain, and the President of Turkmenistan.
The Purpose of State Visits to the UK
The United Kingdom has a long and prestigious history of hosting state visits from around the world. These visits are an important way for the UK to maintain and strengthen its relationships with other countries, and they offer a unique opportunity for the British public to see some of the world’s most famous leaders and dignitaries up close.
State visits usually involve a number of events and activities, including an official welcome from the British monarch at Buckingham Palace, a state banquet at Windsor Castle, and meetings with senior government officials. The purpose of these visits is to reaffirm the UK’s commitment to its international relationships and to showcase the best of British culture and hospitality to the world.
The UK is currently preparing to host a number of high-profile state visits in 2023, including those from the United States, China, and Japan. These visits will be an important opportunity for the UK to cement its place as a leading global player, and to further strengthen its ties with some of its most important partners.
How State Visits to the UK are Organised
A state visit to the United Kingdom is a formal visit by a head of state, usually at the invitation of the British monarch. It is one of the highest-profile forms of diplomatic contact between the UK and another country and usually involves a wide range of ceremonial events.
State visits are typically organized around a number of key events, including a ceremonial welcome by the monarch at Buckingham Palace, an official banquet at Windsor Castle, and a meeting with the Prime Minister at Downing Street. Other events may also be included, such as a visit to Westminster Abbey, a garden party at Buckingham Palace, and a meeting with the Speaker of the House of Commons.
The first stage in organizing a state visit is for the British government to extend an official invitation to the head of state of the country concerned. This is usually done through diplomatic channels, such as the British ambassador to that country.
Once the invitation has been accepted, a team of officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Ministry of Defence, and other government departments will begin to plan the visit in detail. This will involve arranging the itinerary, transport, accommodation, and security for the duration of the visit.
The cost of a state visit is borne by the British taxpayer, although the host country may also make a contribution towards the costs of accommodation and transport.
State visits are a significant undertaking and require a great deal of planning and coordination. They offer an opportunity for the UK to strengthen its relationships with other countries and to showcase its history, culture, and institutions to the world.
The Cost of State Visits to the UK
In recent years, the cost of state visits to the UK has come under intense scrutiny. In 2023, the cost of a state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping is estimated to be £14 million. In 2018, the cost of a state visit by US President Donald Trump was £12 million. In contrast, the cost of the state visit by King Abdullah of Jordan in 2016 was just £1.6 million.
The cost of the security operation for a state visit is typically the largest expense. For example, the cost of security for President Trump’s state visit in 2018 was £5 million. This is because state visits by world leaders are classed as ‘national security events’ by the UK government. This means that they are subject to the highest level of security, with a large number of police officers and other security personnel required to protect the visiting head of state.
The cost of accommodation is also a significant expense. When President Trump visited the UK in 2018, he stayed at the luxurious InterContinental hotel in central London, at a cost of £700,000. The cost of hosting a state banquet at Buckingham Palace is also significant, with the cost of the banquet for President Xi in 2023 estimated to be £250,000.
Other expenses associated with state visits can include the cost of transport, food and drink, and entertainment. For example, the cost of the orchestra for the state banquet for President Xi is estimated to be £40,000.
Overall, the cost of state visits to the UK can be significant. However, it should be noted that these visits also bring substantial benefits to the UK, in terms of trade and investment, and diplomatic relations.
