Fact Check: Did UK play Darth Vader's 'Imperial March' theme to welcome Trump?
WINDSOR, ENGLAND: A viral clip sparked a frenzy across social media in September 2025, showing what many claimed to be a bizarre yet unforgettable royal welcome.
The footage claimed that the United Kingdom’s King’s Guard welcomed US President Donald Trump with “The Imperial March,” Darth Vader’s theme from the Star Wars franchise, during his state visit.
Claim: Trump greeted in the UK with the Star Wars ‘imperial march’ performed by the King’s Guard
Classic British humour. 🤣🤣🤣
— Rally (@UzoAnazodo) September 18, 2025
Only the initiated will get it. Trump welcomed with the Darth Vader theme song. pic.twitter.com/W6RBzQCa75
The clip appeared to show Trump saluting as the iconic villain’s theme played, and text in the corner of the video suggested it came from Sky News.
The claim circulated across X, Threads, and Facebook. Many users shared the video as though it were genuine.
Fact Check: No, the King’s Guard did not play Star Wars theme for Trump
There is no evidence that Windsor Castle’s ceremonial welcome for Trump included any Star Wars music. Instead, the video circulating online was digitally altered.
A review of Sky News’ full coverage of the Sept 16, 2025, ceremony confirmed that the King’s Guard actually performed “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the US national anthem, as is customary for visiting American presidents. At no point did they play Darth Vader’s theme.
The portion of the Sky News video used in the viral clip (at around the 24:04 mark) matched the doctored version, proving the audio had been swapped.
The official Sky News YouTube channel also carries the unedited broadcast, which shows Trump saluting during the anthem, not to any Star Wars music.
President Trump was formally welcomed at Windsor Castle by King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Sept. 16. He later met British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with discussions reportedly focused on the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. Trump departed the UK on Sept. 18.
Trump receives royal welcome with Windsor castle carriage procession
President Donald Trump was greeted with regal pageantry at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, September 17, as King Charles III hosted him for the start of a highly symbolic state visit to the United Kingdom.
Trump joined King Charles in the gilded Irish State Coach, a horse-drawn carriage historically used for the State Opening of Parliament and once famously employed during Queen Elizabeth II’s wedding.
Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrived at Windsor Castle by Marine One in the early afternoon, where they were formally received by King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Princess Kate. The welcome ceremony began with a royal salute from more than 1,000 UK service members assembled in the castle’s quadrangle.
Following the formalities, the group set off in carriages for a procession through the castle grounds and surrounding streets, where crowds lined the route to catch a glimpse of the spectacle. Melania Trump, dressed in a striking maroon ensemble with a wide-brimmed hat, rode in a second carriage alongside Queen Camilla.
