Donald Trump wasted no time making headlines after arriving at Windsor with his wife, Melania, this afternoon. The 79-year-old former US President had just stepped off Marine One for his state visit when he was greeted by Prince William and Kate Middleton. Within seconds, he turned his attention to the Princess of Wales and paid her a striking compliment.
According to lip-reading expert Jeremy Freeman, who analysed footage of the exchange, Trump looked straight at Kate and told her, “You’re so beautiful, so.” The moment, captured as the royal couple welcomed the visitors outside Victoria House, quickly set social media buzzing. William and Kate responded with their trademark charm, offering the full royal treatment as Trump was honoured with a military display, reported the Daily Record.
The Mirror reports that Trump, a long-time admirer of the royals, moved on to meet King Charles and Queen Camilla. Cannons fired across Windsor Castle’s east lawn and at the Tower of London as the pair shook hands. After inspecting the guard of honour, Charles and Trump were spotted laughing together, with Trump repeatedly saying, “thanks very much.”
(Photo by Getty Images)
The ceremony then saw Trump join Charles in a carriage procession through the Windsor Estate, while Melania shared a separate carriage ride with Queen Camilla. Despite being 20 minutes behind schedule, arriving at 12.14pm, Trump appeared relaxed and upbeat.
But the visit didn’t pass without controversy. Some Britons weren’t thrilled about Trump’s presence. Artist Maya Kar staged a protest in Windsor, holding up a painting that depicted Trump as a “stone age savage” dragging along a child-like King Charles. Speaking to the Mirror, he said: “I depict him as a stone age hunter. He don’t know the rules. He don’t know nothing. He don’t know protocol.” He went further, adding: “He don’t know anything. He will just come and act like a[n] idiot. And make a mess. Make us [Brits] embarrassed and go.”
There was more disruption when images of Trump alongside Jeffrey Epstein were projected onto Windsor Castle. Police confirmed four people were taken into custody after the stunt.
Still, the pomp of the occasion carried on as planned, echoing Trump’s previous state visit in 2019 when he dined with the late Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace. Tonight, he is set to attend a state banquet, once again taking his seat at a lavish royal table.
For Trump, who has long prided himself on his ties with the monarchy, today’s events seemed to provide the kind of stage he relishes. His open admiration for Kate may have stolen the spotlight early on, but the spectacle of Windsor’s pageantry and the mix of ceremony and protest ensured his arrival won’t soon be forgotten.
