Trump Calls UK State Dinner "One Of Highest Honors Of My Life"
Donald Trump was treated to a sumptuous royal state banquet in Windsor Castle Wednesday, rounding off the US president's first full day of a historic second state visit to Britain.
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Donald Trump delivers remarks during a State Banquet at Windsor Castle in Windsor on Wednesday.
London:
Donald Trump experienced a magnificent royal state banquet at Windsor Castle Wednesday, concluding the first full day of his historic second state visit to Britain.
Addressing approximately 160 attendees at the beginning of the extravagant event, designed to appeal to the capricious American leader's fondness for ceremony and grandeur, King Charles III commended what he termed Trump's "personal commitment" to pursuing peace.
In response, Trump described the occasion as "one of the highest honours of my life," celebrating the transatlantic partnership by comparing the UK and United States to "two notes in one chord... each beautiful on its own, but really meant to be played together".
The welcome for Trump and his wife Melania earlier featured artillery salutes, mounted soldiers, and an aerial display by the Red Arrows as the visit proceeded away from the British public and demonstrators.
The King and Trump shared laughter and conversation as the US leader reviewed troops at Windsor, west of London, during an elaborate ceremony featuring a horse-drawn carriage procession.
Approximately 120 horses and 1,300 British military personnel — some wearing red tunics with gold plumed helmets — honored Trump during a ceremonial guard that UK officials described as the largest for a state visit to Britain in recent history.
The president and first lady were welcomed upon arrival by Prince William, heir to the throne, and his wife Catherine at Windsor after disembarking from Marine One helicopter under overcast skies at 12:15 pm (1115 GMT).
Within a secure perimeter and sheltered from thousands of protesters chanting anti-Trump slogans in London, William and Catherine escorted Trump and his wife a short distance to meet the waiting Charles and Queen Camilla.
A 41-gun salute was discharged simultaneously from six World War I-era cannons on the castle's eastern lawn, while a similar ceremony took place at the Tower of London in the capital.
The Trumps and the royals were transported in a black and gold coach, encircled by cavalry, through the Windsor estate toward the nearly millennium-old castle, where Trump and Charles inspected the guard of honour.
They also exchanged presents, with the royals giving Trump a book commemorating the 250th anniversary of the US declaration of independence next year, while Trump presented Charles with a replica of a sword once owned by President Dwight Eisenhower.
- 'Gifts' -
Britain is making extraordinary efforts to impress the unpredictable Trump as the UK government attempts to maintain his support during numerous international crises.
The 79-year-old Republican is, however, being kept distant from the British public as surveys indicate his continued unpopularity, with the entire visit occurring behind closed doors.
Approximately 5,000 individuals marched through central London displaying Palestinian flags and carrying banners with messages including "Migrants welcome, Trump not welcome".
"I'm just scared of the way the world's being taken over by really nasty men," Jo Williamson, a 58-year-old funeral director from Kent, southeast England, told AFP.
Trump is the first US president to receive two state visits, following his previous one with Queen Elizabeth II in 2019.
At Windsor, he placed a wreath on the tomb of Elizabeth, Charles's mother, who passed away in 2022, and viewed a collection of US-related artifacts, including correspondence from President Abraham Lincoln to Queen Victoria in 1862 after Prince Albert's death.
The Trumps also held a private meeting with William and Catherine, described by their Kensington Palace office as "warm and friendly".
Trump's inconsistency regarding issues from tariffs to Ukraine and Gaza has created global uncertainty, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will hope the president departs on Thursday feeling the positive influence of royal diplomacy.
- Epstein's shadow -
"A lot of things here warm my heart," the president, who owns two golf resorts in Scotland, his mother's homeland, remarked upon arriving late Tuesday.
The US leader may also appreciate an opportunity to escape domestic turbulence, where the death of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk has caused significant distress.
But the specter of deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein continues to create domestic challenges for both Trump and Starmer.
Starmer will host Trump during the second day of the visit on Thursday at his country residence, Chequers.
The meeting will be enhanced by the announcement of billions of pounds of mutual economic investment, including from British pharmaceutical company GSK and Google, though potentially uncomfortable moments may arise.
Starmer confronts political difficulties domestically, having dismissed his UK ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson, over connections to the late Epstein.