A state visit is a visit made by the head of state or government of one sovereign country to another sovereign country, at the invitation of the host head of state. The visiting head is normally accompanied by an official delegation. State visits are usually characterized by a wide range of formal ceremonial activities. The term “state visit” is not to be confused with official working visits, which are primarily functional trips that generally occur with less or no ceremony.
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, inspected the Guard of Honour at Windsor Castle on his second state visit to the UK in 2019. He called it “one of the highest honours of my life” during a banquet toast to King Charles.
During state visits, the visitor is welcomed with ceremonial honours at the airport or palace. This is typically a march-on by the Guard of Honour accompanied by military bands. The dignitary may be formally received by the deputy foreign minister of the hosting country, or in some cases, the leader of a cabinet or ministry. In addition to formal meetings, the itinerary may also include a state banquet or other formal dinners.
In Poland, for example, visitors will often receive arrival honours at the Presidential Palace. This involves a march-on by the Guard of Honor, and musical accompaniment by the Representative Honor Guard Regiment and the Repertory Band. Foreign heads of state and governments will also take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
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