Eluned Morgan, Wales' first minister, said she declined an invitation to attend the state banquet for President Donald Trump at Windsor Castle for reasons beyond the death of Hefin David, a Welsh Labour member of the Senedd. In an interview after the decision was announced, she cited a difference in politics with the U.S. leader and the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The remarks come as the Welsh government confirms Morgan's absence from the dinner that traditionally caps a royal welcome during a state visit.
Morgan told Pure West Radio on Wednesday morning that her decision was not solely about the loss of a colleague but also about broader policy disagreements with the president and the ongoing crisis in Gaza. "Obviously Trump's politics is very different from mine. The King kindly invited me to attend the state banquet. I didn't feel that was the right thing to do, partly because I felt I needed to be with my colleagues this week when we're all coming to terms with this very difficult situation in relation to Hefin David," she said. "So there's a time when you need to make sure you're together and, look, our politics is very different and you look at things like Gaza and you think we need to be doing everything we can to intervene and it will be good, I think, if we could do a bit more in that space."
On Tuesday night, a Welsh government statement confirmed Morgan would not attend the banquet, saying she had written to the King to "thank him for his gracious invite" but that "her place is here with colleagues as she continues to support them during this incredibly difficult time" following Hefin David's death. By Wednesday lunchtime, the government issued a further note stating there would be a private engagement that evening between the first minister and Members of the Senedd as they processed the loss. Officials have not disclosed exactly when the invitation was received or when the private gathering was arranged, and commentators have noted the lack of a precise timeline in official briefings.
The banquet at Windsor Castle capped the president's state visit to the United Kingdom and drew attention as other political leaders also weighed whether to attend over the Gaza crisis and related humanitarian concerns. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said in August that he would boycott the event to send a message about Gaza, while Plaid Cymru leaders criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer's choice to host Trump with full state honours, warning that Trump’s presence could embolden extremism at home and abroad.
The Welsh government has not provided new details on the invitation timeline, and officials declined further comment. The decision adds to a broader pattern in which Welsh and other UK politicians have weighed domestic political divides against responses to the Trump administration and its policies. Observers say Morgan’s decision signals a willingness to publicly articulate policy disagreements even as ceremonial engagements proceed during a high-profile international visit.
