Donald Trump is being hosted by the King at Windsor Castle on the first day of the US President’s unprecedented second state visit to the UK.
Pomp and pageantry were out in full force with the scale and spectacle of the military ceremonial welcome on Wednesday.
In one exchange between the King and President, Charles joked: ‘Watch the sword’
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The Trumps joined the King and Queen and the prince and princess for a scenic carriage ride through the private Windsor estate to the castle.
The procession included 22 half-companies of personnel from throughout the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the British Army and the Royal Air Force.
Other elements of the royal-focused first day include a visit to the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II in St George’s Chapel, lunch with the royal family, a special Beating Retreat ceremony with a flypast of UK and US F-35 fighter jets and the Red Arrows, and in the evening – to top off the royal celebrations – a lavish state banquet.
Follow the latest updates below…
Thousands of protesters now in central London
Thousands of protestors have descended upon Regent Street, crossing Oxford Circus on their march towards Whitehall.
The protest reached Piccadilly Circus at around 3.30pm on Wednesday.
One demonstrator was spotted wearing a Trump costume, with the US president’s head plastered over an orange prison jumpsuit, while four other protestors held the costumed demonstrator in chains.
Several protestors could be heard chanting “free Palestine”.
A protester dressed as Donald Trump is ‘held in chains’ during the rally
Standard
Anti-Trump protest marches through London
An anti-Trump march from Portland Place to Parliament Square has just commenced, with thousands of protesters now walking through Regent’s Street.
Zoe Gardener, of the Stop Trump Coalition, the organisation which arranged the march, told The Standard: “We wanted to give a voice to the millions of people in this country who are disgusted that our government is rolling out the red carpet for Trump.
“Donald Trump is a friend of Putin he is not a friend of the UK. We hate Donald Trump, but we also wanted to give our government a shake up.”
Shaista Aziz , a spokesman for the coalition, added: “We are sending a message to our government and Donald Trump: you are not welcome in this country”
Trump ‘least qualified man in charge of nuclear button’
Steve Eaton Evans, 64, often impersonates Donald Trump and came to the protest in London dressed as the US president.
The retired drama teacher from Woodstock in Oxfordshire said: “I think Trump is the worst leader probably in the world. He is the least qualified man to be in charge of a nuclear button.”
William and Kate ‘welcome’ Trump
Lorry projecting Trump-Epstein selfie ‘wasn’t seized’, say police
Police officers in Windsor have spoken with the driver of an advertising lorry which showed a picture of Donald Trump with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Pictures appeared to show the vehicle being driven in the Berkshire town.
A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: “Security checks are a necessary part of our response to ensure the safety of the state visit and all those in the area.
“The driver was at risk of breaching the Road Traffic Regulations Act, and after a brief conversation with officers the motorist left the area.
“No arrests were made and no vehicles were seized.
“We have been clear with the public that an enhanced police presence would be in place due to the state visit.”
From customised 747s and bottomless Diet Cokes: inside Trump’s state visit
Green Drawing Room celebrating UK bond with US
Aaron Chown/PA
The Green Drawing Room was laid out with exhibits celebrating the UK’s bond with the United States, ready for Donald Trump to see after lunch.
The semi-state room is often used as the backdrop for official royal photographs.
It was where the wedding portraits of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were taken in 2018.
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were also pictured there together to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee.
It features striking silk green walls hangings, which match the fabric of the antique settees and chairs, and elaborate gilded panels and doors.
Designed for the extravagant King George IV, it was originally known as the Library.
Its gilded ceiling boasts a geometric lozenge shape and the ceiling-height bay windows look out over the East Terrace.
The Green Drawing Room was one of the rooms damaged in the 1992 Windsor Castle fire, but its carpet, which was shown at the Great Exhibition in 1851, survived the blaze.
Royals and Trumps exchange gifts
The King and Queen offered Donald Trump a leather volume to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. He also received the Union Flag that flew over Buckingham Palace to mark his inauguration earlier this year.
Mrs Trump was gifted a silver bowl handcrafted by Northern Irish artist Cara Murph, as well as a Anya Hindmarch handbag.
Mr Trump gave Charles a replica of a Dwight D. Eisenhower’s sword and the Queen a Tiffany & Co 18K gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch.
Thousands protest in London against Trump’s state visit
‘I travelled from Dublin because Trump makes my blood boil’
Sylvia Jones (Left) and Dave Quinn (Right) travelled from Ireland
Supplied
Sylvia Jones travelled from Dublin in Ireland to protest in London against Donald Trump’s state visit because she said it “makes her blood boil”.
Dressed as a baby, she said: “I identify as a baby but he’s a bigger one than I am. I’m not in favour of the trump presidency. He is so unpredictable and dangerous. He is not a very sound leader. The state visit is an absolute embarrassment for the British people. It makes my blood boil.”
