The term State visit refers to a trip made by the head of state or government of a foreign country to another sovereign nation, with the host acting as official host. It is considered the highest expression of friendly bilateral relations and is characterised by an emphasis on formal public ceremonies.
As part of the visit, a guard of honour is formed, usually by the visiting dignitary’s military force. A 21-gun salute is fired, and the national flags of both nations are raised. The visitors will also often visit landmarks and historic sites, such as the tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Westminster Abbey. This is a way to highlight and celebrate shared heritage and values, as well as strengthening people-to-people ties.
The visiting dignitary may also participate in cultural events and meet with community members. This helps to promote the importance of the diplomatic discussions, and provides an opportunity to showcase the host’s culture and traditions to the world.
However, it is not a guarantee that a foreign head of state or government will be accorded a State visit. This can depend on the rank of the host and the level of diplomatic engagements during their visit, as well as other factors. For example, President Trump’s upcoming visit to the UK will not be a State visit, and instead will be a less-formal working visit. This is likely due to his controversial stance on Brexit, as well as his ongoing feud with London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
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