See Details Of President Trump’s Royal Treatment On UK State Visit

See Details Of President Trump’s Royal Treatment On UK State Visit

Britain rolled out an elaborate ceremonial welcome for Donald Trump on Wednesday, complete with a gun salute and mounted horses, as the US president began his unprecedented second state visit under tight security.

Prince William, heir to the throne, and his wife Catherine warmly received Trump and First Lady Melania Trump after Marine One touched down at Windsor Castle shortly after 12:15 pm (1115 GMT).

Shielded by heavy security and away from noisy protesters, William and Catherine escorted the Trumps a short distance to meet King Charles III and Queen Camilla, kicking off the UK’s high-profile charm offensive.

As Trump shook hands with the king, a 41-gun salute thundered across the castle’s east lawn from six World War One-era guns, mirrored by another display at the Tower of London.

The ceremony, hailed by officials as the largest military welcome for a state visit in recent memory, featured 120 horses and 1,300 members of the armed forces.

The Trumps then joined the royals in a carriage procession through the Windsor estate toward the nearly 1,000-year-old castle.

‘A Show of Pomp’

Determined to impress the unpredictable US leader, Britain has staged a dazzling display of pageantry — even greater than that seen during Trump’s first state visit in 2019.

He is the first American president to be granted two such honors.

This time, the welcome includes the first-ever joint flypast of US and UK fighter jets, featuring F-35s and the RAF’s Red Arrows display team.

The Trumps will also lay a wreath at Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb before concluding the day with a white-tie state banquet hosted by King Charles, where both leaders are expected to speak.

Still, despite the grandeur, the public has been kept at a distance. Trump remains unpopular among many Britons, with all events taking place behind closed doors.

“It’s quite sad that the public cannot see the president,” said Charlene Bryan, 40, who had traveled from London in hopes of catching a glimpse.

For Trump, who has long admired Britain’s royals and thrives on ceremonial spectacle, the warm treatment is designed to play to his tastes.

Earlier this year, he declared “LONG LIVE THE KING!” about himself on social media, even posting a fake magazine cover of him wearing a crown.

Whether this red-carpet diplomacy can smooth over Trump’s unpredictable stances — from tariffs to Ukraine and Gaza — remains uncertain. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, hosting Trump at Chequers on Thursday, will be keen for the president to depart feeling flattered by royal soft power.

Trump, whose mother was Scottish and who owns two golf resorts in the country, appeared moved on arrival: “A lot of things here warm my heart,” he said.

He also described King Charles, who is undergoing cancer treatment, as “my friend.”

The visit, however, comes with shadows. At home, Trump faces political turbulence after the killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.

In Britain, the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s legacy continues to stir controversy for both Trump and the royal family.

On Tuesday night, police arrested four people after images of Trump and Epstein were projected onto Windsor Castle. Meanwhile, protests are expected to draw thousands in London.

Talks between Trump and Starmer could become uneasy despite positive news, such as pharmaceutical giant GSK announcing a $30 billion investment in the United States over five years.

Starmer also faces political fallout after dismissing UK ambassador to Washington Peter Mandelson over links to Epstein.