Trump Arrives In UK For Historic Second State Visit
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived in London on Tuesday evening for a historic second State Visit to the UK at the invitation of King Charles III, who has laid out a royal reception at Windsor Castle.
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US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump landed in London on Tuesday for a notable second State Visit.
London:
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump touched down in London on Tuesday evening, commencing a historic second State Visit to the United Kingdom at the invitation of King Charles III, who has arranged a royal welcome at Windsor Castle.
Upon Air Force One's arrival at Stansted Airport, the Trumps were welcomed by US Ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens and Viscount Henry Hood, the King's Lord-in-Waiting.
"They've been friends of mine for a long time, well before he was King, and it's an honor to have him as King. I believe he represents the country exceptionally well, I've observed, he's such an elegant gentleman," Trump remarked, highlighting that this marks the first time an American President has been "honored twice" with a State Visit to the UK.
The American First Couple will receive a formal welcome at Windsor in Berkshire, south-east England, on Wednesday morning from the Prince and Princess of Wales – William and Kate, before collectively moving forward to meet King Charles and Queen Camilla.
"Their Majesties the King and Queen will formally greet the President and First Lady outside, as a Royal Salute is fired from the East Lawn of Windsor Castle and at the Tower of London," according to a Buckingham Palace statement.
The Trumps will subsequently join the King and Queen, and the Prince and Princess of Wales, in a traditional gilded carriage procession through the Windsor estate toward the castle. The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment will provide a Sovereign's Escort for the procession, with British Armed Forces members lining the route alongside three military bands from the Royal Marines, the Army and the Royal Air Force (RAF).
"Upon arrival at the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle, a Guard of Honour, featuring the State Colours of the Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards and Scots Guards will greet the party. This marks the first time at such an occasion that three State Colours will be displayed (traditionally only one colour would be on parade)," the palace noted.
"The Guard of Honour will be accompanied by a Foot Guards Massed Band and the Pipes and Drums will give a Royal Salute; the Band will perform the US and British National Anthems. The President and First Lady will join The King and Queen on the Royal Dais before The President, accompanied by the King, is invited to inspect the Guard of Honour," the statement continued.
A march past involving the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, the Household Cavalry and the Foot Guards Guard of Honour will precede the dignitaries' entrance into Windsor Castle. A grand lunch in the State Dining Room will be followed by viewing a special display of Royal Collection items relating to the United States in the castle's Green Drawing Room, which is part of the 11th century structure.
Trump, who previously enjoyed a State Visit hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II in May 2019, will visit St. George's Chapel for a "private" wreath laying ceremony at the former monarch's tomb. He and Melania will then receive a brief tour of the historic chapel and attend a musical performance by its choir.
A Beating Retreat ceremony on Windsor Castle's East Lawn is expected to conclude with a joint flypast by UK and US F-35 military jets and the Red Arrows, weather permitting. Wednesday evening's State Banquet will serve as the centerpiece of the visit, with both Trump and the 76-year-old British monarch delivering customary speeches highlighting the close bilateral relationship.
Thursday morning will see Trump formally bidding farewell to the King and Queen at Windsor Castle before traveling to Chequers for bilateral discussions with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at his countryside residence in Buckinghamshire, where another Guard of Honour will greet him.
Their talks are anticipated to "refine the trade deal" previously agreed upon between both nations and will follow a viewing of Britain's war-time prime minister, Sir Winston Churchill's archives. A business reception hosted by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and a joint press conference will finalize the official engagements of the two-day visit.
Multi-billion-dollar investments from US corporations are expected throughout the week, with Google already confirming 5 billion pounds of funding for the country's artificial intelligence (AI) sector, including a data centre in Hertfordshire.
Previously, the British government announced over 1.25 billion pounds in private US investment in the UK's financial services sector.
"These investments demonstrate the strength of our enduring 'golden corridor' with one of our closest trading partners, ahead of the US presidential State Visit," stated UK Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle.
Protests are also scheduled during Trump's visit in Windsor and London, with security forces implementing one of their largest security operations.