Donald Trump received a lavish welcome in Britain on
Wednesday, as King Charles III and Queen Camilla hosted the U.S. president at
Windsor Castle in a ceremony heavy with pomp designed to appeal to Trump’s
fondness for pageantry.
Some 1,300 British troops and 120 horses took part in
the elaborate state reception — the largest mounted guard of honour for a state
visit in recent memory. A 41-gun salute rang out as Trump shook hands with the
king, while US and UK national anthems were played during the inspection of
troops. Prince William and Princess Catherine greeted Trump and First Lady
Melania upon arrival, before a carriage procession escorted the leaders through
the Windsor estate.
The visit marks Trump’s second state reception in the
UK, making him the first U.S. president to receive the honour twice. He is also
set to witness a joint flypast featuring British and American F-35 jets
alongside the Red Arrows, another unprecedented gesture.
Behind the grandeur, however, the visit is unfolding
under tight security, far from public view. Polls show Trump remains unpopular
among Britons, and police confirmed arrests after protesters projected images
of Trump and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein onto Windsor Castle on Tuesday
night. Demonstrations are planned across London.
The president described King Charles, currently
undergoing cancer treatment, as “my friend,” and expressed his affection for
Britain, noting his Scottish roots and family ties. The Trumps will also lay a
wreath at Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb before attending a white-tie state banquet
at Windsor.
Yet the carefully choreographed welcome comes at a
delicate moment. Trump faces domestic unrest in the U.S. following the killing
of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, while Epstein’s shadow continues to haunt
both Washington and the British establishment. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer,
who will host Trump at Chequers on Thursday, is under pressure himself after
sacking his Washington ambassador, Peter Mandelson, over links to Epstein.
Talks between the two leaders are expected to cover
trade, global crises in Ukraine and Gaza, and recent investment pledges —
including a $30 billion U.S. commitment by UK pharmaceutical giant GSK. British
officials hope the royal treatment will keep Trump onside, but his
unpredictability leaves little certainty about the outcome.
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