Donald Trump was treated to an unprecedented display of military pomp and pageantry as his historic second state visit began with a spectacular ceremonial welcome.
The US president and First Lady Melania Trump also received a personal, family-centred greeting from the King and his immediate family – with Mr Trump in turn complimenting the Princess of Wales.
Around 1,500 troops in total are involved in the ceremonial events throughout the day – almost double those on duty for the recent state visit of France’s President Emmanuel Macron.
The day featured a carriage procession through the grounds of Windsor Castle accompanied by a sovereign’s escort of 80 mounted soldiers – similar to scenes from Trooping the Colour – and a 120-strong guard of honour, the largest staged for a state visit in living memory.
Mr Trump appeared at ease and respectful of his hosts and is unlikely to be the first American impressed by the history, splendour and atmosphere of Windsor Castle, continuously occupied for almost 1,000 years.
William and Kate were deployed at the start of the royal charm offensive to greet the Trumps who arrived in the Marine One helicopter at Victoria House, a little-known property nestled in the Royal Kitchen Gardens at Frogmore on the private Windsor estate.
Mr Trump first shook hands with the prince and when the princess did the same she gave him a broad smile as the US leader appeared to tell her: “You’re so beautiful, so beautiful.”
William and Kate later had a short private meeting with the president and the first lady after the royal party sat down to lunch and viewed US artefacts from the royal archive, relating to the UK’s special relationship with America.
Waiting nearby the helicopter landing site was the King and Queen and after they exchanged greetings with their guests, Charles and Mr Trump appeared to be engaged in deep discussion which carried on as they settled into their places in the Scottish State Coach and set off in the carriage procession.
In the castle’s quadrangle, which has staged welcomes for leaders from across the globe, the president inspected a Guard of Honour and following protocol strode in front of the King, accompanied by the captain of the guard Lieutenant Colonel Storm Green, with Charles a few steps behind.
The US leader stopped to speak to some of the guardsmen on parade from three of the British Army’s most prestigious regiments – Coldstream, Scots and Grenadier Guards – and was overheard thanking the soldiers stood to attention.
Mr Trump even shared a joke with one of the servicemen with Charles sharing the amusing moment as a few spots of rain fell.
There are no public-facing elements during Mr Trump’s engagements, with security paramount for the 47th US president – who has faced two assassination attempts in just over a year – in the wake of the killing of his ally Charlie Kirk.
A sniper was photographed on one of Windsor Castle’s towers with sight down part of the almost two kilometre route the carriage procession followed.
In central London, hundreds of protesters gathered in Portland Place, near the BBC’s Broadcasting House, to protest against the US leader’s second state visit.
Some protesters held banners which read: “No to the racism, no to Trump,” while others carried smaller versions of the Trump baby blimp, a 20ft iteration became a symbol of demonstration during the president’s first UK state visit in 2019.
After lunch in the State Dining Room, the King led Mr Trump through a set of gilded double doors into the Green Drawing Room to see the display of items from the Royal Collection relating to the US.
The president was shown a letter sent from president Abraham Lincoln to Queen Victoria in 1862 expressing his condolences after the death of Prince Albert, which was described as a “defining moment” in the special relationship between the UK and the US.
Mr Trump remarked “that is so amazing, that’s the real deal” and leant forward to have a closer look.
The US leader had an affinity for Queen Elizabeth II, who hosted his first state visit, and during the afternoon he laid a wreath at her tomb in the castle’s St George’s Chapel joined by the first lady.
After a brief tour of the chapel, during which they were shown Henry VIII’s vault and Sir Winston Churchill’s stall plate denoting his membership of the Order of the Garter, Mr Trump said: “This was a great honour.”
The last military event saw a Beating Retreat ceremony staged for the president and the first lady on the castle’s east lawn featuring UK military personnel.
Charles and Camilla joined their guests as did Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his wife for the spectacle and at one point, after a weather-reduced flypast featuring the Red Arrows, the president reached over and gently patted the King on the arm.
