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President Donald Trump was greeted with unprecedented pomp and ceremony Wednesday during a state visit to Britain featuring the largest military display for a foreign leader in living memory, as King Charles III rolled out an elaborate welcome designed to strengthen ties between the two nations.
The 79-year-old president and First Lady Melania Trump arrived at Windsor Castle via Marine One helicopter at 12:15 p.m. local time, where they were met by Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, before proceeding to greet King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
The ceremonial reception included a 41-gun salute fired from six World War I-era cannons on the castle's east lawn, with a simultaneous display at the Tower of London. Some 1,300 British military personnel participated in the elaborate guard of honor, many wearing traditional red tunics and gold-plumed helmets, while 120 horses took part in a carriage procession through the Windsor estate.
Trump becomes the first U.S. president to receive two state visits to Britain, following his previous reception by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2019. The current visit marks a significant diplomatic moment as Britain seeks to maintain strong ties with the unpredictable American leader amid various international crises.
During the ceremony, Trump and King Charles were observed sharing smiles and conversation as they inspected the troops. The president saluted during the playing of the U.S. national anthem before the group proceeded inside the nearly 1,000-year-old castle for lunch.
The leaders exchanged gifts, with the British royals presenting Trump with a book commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence, while Trump gave Charles a replica of a sword once owned by President Dwight Eisenhower.
The visit unfolded amid tight security and away from public view, as an estimated 5,000 demonstrators gathered in central London to protest Trump's policies. Protesters waved Palestinian flags and carried banners reading "Migrants welcome, Trump not welcome."
"I'm just scared of the way the world's being taken over by really nasty men," said Jo Williamson, a 58-year-old funeral director from Kent, reflecting the sentiment among many British citizens who view Trump unfavorably according to recent polling.
The president's visit has been conducted entirely behind closed doors, keeping him separated from the British public throughout his stay.
The timing of the visit comes as both leaders face domestic challenges. Trump is dealing with turmoil following the killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently dismissed his UK ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson, over connections to the late Jeffrey Epstein.
The Epstein controversy cast an additional shadow over the visit when police arrested four people after they projected images of Trump and Epstein onto Windsor Castle on Tuesday night.
Despite the controversies, both sides are expected to announce significant economic partnerships, including billions in investment from British pharmaceutical giant GSK and Google. The visit will conclude Thursday with meetings at Chequers, the prime minister's country residence.
Upon arriving Tuesday at the U.S. ambassador's residence in London, Trump expressed his affection for Britain, saying, "A lot of things here warm my heart." The president, who owns golf resorts in Scotland—his mother's homeland—appeared to embrace the royal treatment designed to appeal to his appreciation for ceremony and grandeur.
The state visit represents a crucial diplomatic opportunity for Starmer's government to maintain the special relationship with Washington as both nations navigate complex international challenges involving Ukraine, Gaza, and global trade tensions.
Wednesday's events will culminate in a white-tie state banquet where both Trump and King Charles are scheduled to deliver speeches, marking the formal conclusion of the ceremonial portion of this historic second state visit.
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