US President Donald Trump is on a two-day visit to Britain as the guest of King Charles III. With first lady Melania Trump, the US President arrived at Windsor Castle on Wednesday. Prince William and his wife, Catherine, were on hand to meet the president and first lady, walking them over to be greeted by the king and Queen Camilla.
The purpose of the visit is to bolster ties with a world leader known for a love of bling at a time when his America First policies are putting pressure on trade and security arrangements globally. No US president, or any other world leader, has ever had the honour of a second UK state visit.
Calling the United Kingdom a “very special place”, the US president says he loved being back He arrived in London late Tuesday. Asked if he had a message for Charles, he said the king was a longtime friend of his and well-respected.
The backdrop for day one is Windsor Castle, an almost 1,000-year-old royal residence with gilded interiors, crenellated towers, and priceless artworks. A gigantic royal standard, the flag used for official celebration days, flew from the castle's Royal Tower as the king and queen prepared for the Trumps to arrive by helicopter from London, where they spent Tuesday night at the US ambassador's residence.
“I think that also is why he seems so visibly excited about the second meeting, because it isn't an invitation given to (just) anyone,” said George Gross, an expert on the British monarchy at King's College London.
Following royal pomp, Trump will hold talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday, who will tout a new UK-US technology deal. The British government hopes the deal, and billions in investment from US tech firms, will help show that the trans-Atlantic bond remains strong despite differences over Ukraine, the Middle East, and the future of NATO. The Britain PM further hopes to avoid any awkward questions about Jeffrey Epstein. Days before the state visit, Starmer fired Britain's ambassador to the US, Peter Mandelson, over the envoy's past friendship with the convicted sex offender.
On Tuesday, the campaign group Led By Donkeys projected an image of Trump and Epstein on a tower at Windsor Castle, a reminder of the president's relationship with the disgraced financier. Police said they arrested four people over the stunt.
A day of ceremony in Windsor includes a horse-drawn carriage ride through the estate — 6,400 hectares of farms, forest, and open space that includes a one-time royal hunting ground, still home to 500 red deer.
Before Trump and the king examine an honour guard of soldiers wearing traditional scarlet tunics and tall bearskin hats, a military band will play "God Save the King" and "The Star-Spangled Banner" back at the castle. It will be time for the glitz and glamour of a state banquet following a private lunch and a tour of an exhibit of records and artwork demonstrating the connections between the US and Britain.
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