US President Donald Trump, accompanied by his wife Melania, arrived at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, where he was greeted by the King and Queen of England and the Prince and Princess of Wales, on the first day of his state visit to the United Kingdom.
The Marine One helicopter carrying Donald Trump, the only US president to make a second official visit to Britain, landed at around 12:15 pm (11:15 am GMT) at the royal compound, where an unprecedented ceremony is planned in his honour.
Inside a steel ring and out of sight of the noisy protesters, William and Catherine walked with Trump and his wife a short distance to meet King Charles III and Queen Camilla as Britain's biggest charm offensive was launched.
As the President shook the King's hand, a 41-gun salute from six First World War cannons was fired simultaneously on the castle's East Lawn, while a similar display took place at the Tower of London in the centre of the capital.
Some 120 horses and 1,300 British military personnel took part in the ceremony, which UK officials said marked the largest ceremonial military welcome for a state visit to Britain in living memory.
The Trumps and royals embarked on a carriage procession through the Windsor estate toward the nearly 1,000-year-old castle.
The American leader will spend both nights at the castle, one of the official residences of the British monarchy, away from a demonstration called against him in London.
"They say Windsor Castle is the best, so it's going to be great," said Donald Trump, 79, before his departure from Washington.
On his second official visit to the United Kingdom, following a trip he made in 2019 during his previous term, all events will be held behind closed doors, away from crowds, due to his unpopularity in the UK.
Far from London
Nor will he be making any contact with London on the final day of his visit, Thursday. Instead, he will travel to Chequers, about 70 km from the capital, to meet with Keir Starmer at the British Prime Minister's official country residence.
Despite their departure from London, several dozen protesters, carrying anti-Trump banners and chanting slogans, gathered on Tuesday on a main street near Windsor Castle.
In addition, the group"Led by Donkeys," which holds politicians accountable with often humorous campaigns, managed to project images of Trump and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein onto a Windsor tower, according to AFPTV footage. Police reported four arrests.
The Epstein case has been clouding Trump's presidency for weeks. The Republican leader was a longtime close friend of the financier before breaking up with him.
The issue was also on Starmer's agenda this week, as he dismissed his ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson, after his close ties to Epstein were revealed.
