President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived in the United Kingdom for a two-day state visit, beginning with a lavish welcome from the British royal family at Windsor Castle. This second state visit, an unusual diplomatic honor, was characterized by ceremonial pomp designed to appeal to the American leader.
Under a cloudy sky on the castle’s East Lawn, the president observed a spectacular display featuring military bands in full dress uniform and a flyover by the Royal Air Force’s Red Arrows acrobatic team, leaving vibrant red, white, and blue contrails across the heavens.
The British government orchestrated this visit as a strategic effort to engage with a president who appears increasingly inclined to challenge the established post-World War II global order, hoping to influence him on crucial bilateral issues.
However, the red-carpet treatment contrasted sharply with widespread public sentiment. Thousands of demonstrators converged in central London to protest Mr. Trump’s presence. Chants of “Say it loud. Say it clear. Donald Trump’s not welcome here!” echoed near Parliament, while placards declared “Dump Trump,” “Trump for Prison,” and “No to racism, No to Trump.”
While President Trump engaged in an early-morning social media outburst concerning alleged weaponized justice at home, he notably refrained from commenting on British politics during this visit, unlike his previous trip in 2019.
The Trumps traveled from London to Windsor by helicopter, where they were greeted by King Charles III. The President and the King shared a horse-drawn carriage through the Windsor estate as Queen Camilla and Mrs. Trump followed in another. A state dinner was scheduled for Wednesday evening at the historic 900-year-old castle, attended by numerous Trump officials, friends, and allies.
The couple planned to spend the night at Windsor Castle before President Trump’s meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday at Chequers, the Prime Minister’s country residence. Discussions are expected to lead to the signing of several deals, followed by a joint news conference.
Key highlights of the visit and surrounding context:
- Two-day visit: Following Wednesday’s royal spectacle, President Trump will head to Chequers on Thursday for talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, where a series of agreements are anticipated, alongside a joint news conference.
- U.K. upheaval: The visit coincided with significant domestic unrest, including a protest of over 100,000 led by anti-immigrant activist Tommy Robinson, one of Britain’s largest far-right demonstrations. Elon Musk, a former Trump adviser, addressed the demonstrators virtually, using alarmist rhetoric about immigration, prompting condemnation from Prime Minister Starmer.
- Epstein ties: The shadow of deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein looms over the trip. British activists projected images of Mr. Trump and Mr. Epstein onto Windsor Castle and unfurled a large banner featuring the pair, protesting his arrival. This follows Prime Minister Starmer’s recent dismissal of his ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson, due to his connections with Epstein. Both leaders were expected to face questions regarding the ongoing Epstein saga.