LONDON: President Donald Trump was welcomed to the United Kingdom today with royal pomp as King Charles III hosted him at Windsor Castle for a state visit.
It is Trump’s second state visit to Britain, making him the first U.S. president to be extended the honour twice by a British monarch.
The day began with a ceremonial welcome featuring a Guard of Honour, military bands, and the playing of both nations’ anthems.
Standing beside King Charles, Trump inspected the troops before joining the monarch in a horse-drawn carriage procession through the castle grounds. First Lady Melania Trump accompanied Queen Camilla in a separate carriage as onlookers gathered behind barriers despite strict security measures.
At St George’s Chapel, Trump laid a wreath at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II, paying tribute to the late monarch. Inside Windsor Castle, he was presented with a special exhibition from the Royal Collection highlighting centuries of diplomatic and cultural ties between the United States and the United Kingdom.
Authorities mounted an extensive security operation, including airspace restrictions, drone interceptions, and the deployment of thousands of police officers. Despite these precautions, the visit drew widespread opposition.
Large crowds of demonstrators marched in central London and near Windsor, carrying placards and chanting slogans against Trump. Opposition politicians joined the protests, criticizing the government for staging such a lavish welcome.
Supporters of the visit hailed the ceremony as a reaffirmation of the “special relationship” between Britain and the U.S., emphasizing the symbolic importance of maintaining strong transatlantic ties in a time of global uncertainty. Critics argued that the grandeur risked overshadowing Trump’s divisive political record.
With further meetings and formal engagements scheduled during the visit, the event is being closely watched as both a test of diplomacy and a reflection of public opinion on both sides of the Atlantic.
