President Donald Trump and Melania Trump arrived in the UK late Tuesday. Image credit: The Guardian
(The Post News) – United States President Donald Trump’s highly touted state visit to the United Kingdom shifted into high gear on Wednesday, as he and First Lady Melania Trump were welcomed at Windsor Castle by the warm reception of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The visit, filled with pomp and pageantry, is Trump’s historic second state visit to be received by a British monarch.
The occupant of the White House and his wife will be surrounded by centuries-old royal traditions throughout the day as Britain tries to emphasize its long-standing “special relationship” with the United States amid preparations for tough talks on trade and geopolitics.
A Grand Royal Welcome
Trump and Melania travelled to Windsor along with the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate. Gun salutes echoed both inside the premises of Windsor Castle and at the Tower of London to herald the start of the state visit.
The Trumps travelled with King Charles and Queen Camilla in a carriage procession through Windsor, accompanied by mounted cavalry and military bands. A guard of honour awaited the group at the castle, where the U.S. and U.K. flags were flying side by side. The day’s pageantry also included a dramatic military flyover featuring U.S. and U.K. F-35 jets and Britain’s famed Red Arrows.
The evening will conclude with a glittering state banquet at Windsor Castle, during which both King Charles and President Trump are likely to give speeches on the topic of unity and the transatlantic alliance.
As the royal family rolls out the red carpet, Trump’s visit has not been free of controversy. Four individuals were arrested on Tuesday night after they projected an image of Trump with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein onto Windsor Castle. The president has faced months of criticism for the Justice Department’s refusal to release documents linked to Epstein.
The trip has also been greeted by protests. Protesters gathered in Windsor on Tuesday to denounce Trump’s immigration policies and his stance on Ukraine and Israel. Yet a noisy contingent of Trump fans cheered him for precisely the same policies. Security has been very much in evidence, with police searching roads, drains, and buildings for weeks ahead of the visit.
Britain’s Balancing Act
Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host Trump at Chequers on Thursday, where the two leaders will have a full agenda to discuss. Topics will vary from trade deals, U.S.-U.K. partnerships, and raging geopolitical wars like the Ukraine and Gaza conflicts.
Starmer, like other Western leaders, appears to understand that flattery is the path to follow with Trump. The involvement of the royal family in Wednesday’s events underscores Britain’s diplomatic effort to keep Washington close during uncertain times overseas.
However, civic Britain is continuing to make its voice heard in protest. Anti-Trump protests are scheduled across the country, the largest of which will take place in London. Trump, who often chafes at being criticized, will likely be shielded from protestors as most of his events are closed-door affairs.
Trump’s second royal state visit is a historic event. He was hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2019, and now King Charles takes a cue from her. The visit is also a symbolic gesture for the 250th anniversary of America’s independence, which is approaching, U.S. officials stated.
“This historic second state visit highlights and renews the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom,” a senior White House official told reporters.
As Windsor showcases its grandeur, Trump’s presence once again divides opinion across Britain. The next two days will test not only the pomp of royal ceremony but also the resilience of the Anglo-American alliance.
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