Donald Trump declared his deep admiration and respect for the UK in a speech at Windsor Castle that appeared to justify prime minister Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to woo the US president with an unprecedented second state visit.
President Trump lavished praise on the UK and the royal family, saying the word special did “not begin” to do justice to the ties between the two countries, in an address that referenced Winston Churchill and described the event as one of the highest honours of his life.
The UK rolled out its finest pageantry for Mr Trump as the King and Queen welcomed the president for his historic – and controversial – visit.
The Prince and Princess of Wales also formed part of the royal charm offensive at Windsor Castle for the president, who has made no secret about enjoying the flattery of having British pomp laid on for him.
At the glittering white-tie banquet in Windsor Castle, the King hinted to Mr Trump that further trade deals between the UK and US would be welcome, as would more support for Ukraine.
“The United Kingdom is your partner in the first trade deal of your administration, Mr President, bringing jobs and growth to both our countries. And no doubt we can go even further as we build this new era of our partnership,” the King said to the president and 160 guests.
The King also made plain to the president that preserving nature – on land and the seas – should be a priority.
“Our legacy for the next 250 years and beyond is to ensure that our children, grandchildren and those who come after them can experience the awe and magnificence of the natural treasures found in the countryside, on the coasts, in the sea and in the national parks established by your predecessors and mine,” he said.
Mr Trump described his visit as “one of the highest honours of my life”, saying that “special relationship” as a description did not go far enough.
Lavishing praise on the UK, he said the bond of kinship and identity between America and the United Kingdom was priceless, eternal, irreplaceable and unbreakable.
“We've done more good for humanity than any two countries in all of history,” he said. “Together, we must defend the exceptional heritage that makes us who we are, and we must continue to stand for the values of the people of the English-speaking world.”
Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch was a guest at the evening banquet, despite being sued by the US president over a newspaper story linking him to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Earlier, the president was treated to a gilded horse-drawn carriage ride through the Windsor estate, in the largest formal welcome for a state visit to the UK in living memory, with 1,300 members of the military involved.
The pageantry came before crucial talks for Sir Keir on Thursday as he tries to get his government back on track after the loss of deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and ambassador to the US Lord Mandelson.
Sir Keir is still hoping for an improved trade deal, even though talks on steel tariffs have been taken off the agenda at Chequers.
As the King, Queen, William and Catherine greeted the American leader and first lady Melania Trump on Wednesday morning, the president appeared to tell Kate: “You’re so beautiful, so beautiful.”
Numerous flourishes were used to impress the billionaire-turned-politician, who has vaunted his friendship with the King and Queen and revealed that he wanted photographs of himself with the royals to be seen worldwide.
The military pageantry organised for the grandeur-loving president was unprecedented. Lining the carriage procession route through the Windsor estate to the castle were 22 half-companies of personnel from the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the British army and the Royal Air Force, with 120 horses.
Inside the castle, the two couples exchanged gifts. In the green drawing room, the president was shown a letter sent from president Abraham Lincoln to Queen Victoria in 1862, expressing his condolences on the death of Prince Albert.
The Trumps also visited St George’s Chapel in Windsor to lay a wreath at the final resting place of the late Queen.
The Red Arrows flew over Windsor Castle, and the red carpet was rolled out on the lawn for a ceremony with 200 military musicians.
Mr Trump touched the King’s arm more than once during the day, breaking etiquette.
At Chequers on Thursday – just days after the prime minister sacked Lord Mandelson over his links to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein – the president will hold talks with Sir Keir.
The government is particularly keen to impress the president and secure more favourable trade terms with the UK’s largest single economic partner.
Trump supporters lined the streets of Windsor. Anderson Okiwe, from Nottinghamshire, said his message to Mr Trump was: “Thank you so much Donald Trump for all that you’ve done. Let’s get back to common sense.”
However, there were opponents, too. Dozens took to the streets of Windsor.
Two people were arrested in the town over public order incidents, Thames Valley Police said.
No public events have been arranged for Mr Trump’s visit, and security is paramount.
The engagements all avoid London, where thousands of people took part in protests. The Metropolitan Police deployed 1,600 officers.
About 3,000 people joined a rally at the Houses of Parliament.
Palestinian flags dominated the march, and some participants were dressed as the American leader, complete with heavy orange tans.
One woman dragged an effigy of the president through the streets. The march was mostly upbeat and light-hearted, with drums, music and dancing.
Four people were arrested over pictures of Donald Trump and convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein that were projected onto Windsor Castle on Tuesday by political campaign group Led By Donkeys.
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn on Wednesday congratulated the activists behind the projection.
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