Donald Trump has been welcomed to Windsor Castle by King Charles and Queen Camilla with a golden horse-drawn carriage procession, bagpipers and a Guard of Honour on the first day of his state visit.
The US and British national anthems were heard ringing out through the grounds of the historic castle on Wednesday in a ceremonial greeting and troop inspection by the King and Trump.
The US President was pictured disembarking from his helicopter, Marine One, alongside First Lady Melania Trump and being welcomed by Prince William and the Princess of Wales.
Amongst the pomp and pageantry the US President will also view a historic flypast by the Red Arrows and be hosted by King Charles at a lavish state banquet in the evening.
Read more: Follow live updates of Trump’s state visit
However, he will also be “welcomed” by as many as 50 protest groups that are expected to take to the streets of London to march against his visit.
After spending all of Wednesday on the Windsor estate amid strict security, Trump will travel to the prime minister’s country residence, Chequers, on Thursday to meet Sir Keir Starmer.
Here are the key timings for the first day of his second state visit.
Arrival and procession
The Trumps were greeted by the Prince and Princess of Wales just after midday before being formally welcomed by the King and Queen at Windsor Castle.
A carriage procession through the Windsor estate with Charles, Camilla, William and Kate began at 12.25pm.
Guard of Honour
Following the procession Trump, accompanied by Charles, inspected the Guard of Honour at Windsor Castle at around 12.40pm.
After this, members of the Royal Family was scheduled to join the Trumps in the State Dining Room where the visitors will be taken to see a special display of Royal Collection items that relate to the United States of America.
In a private moment, the Trumps will visit the late Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb in St George’s Chapel, Windsor, and lay a wreath.
Beating Retreat – 4.20pm
A group of 200 military musicians will perform a rendition of Beating Retreat on the East Lawn of Windsor Castle, watched by spectators including UK and US military personnel and military families.
Beating Retreat is a military spectacle and ceremony that originated in the early years of organised warfare and symbolises the end of the day when camp gates were closed and ceremonial flags were lowered.
The King was hosted by the Queen during his last state visit. (PA)
It takes place on Horse Guards Parade every year in June, when the salute is taken by a member of the Royal Family.
Flypast – 4.45pm
Trump will be treated to a flypast by the Red Arrows and UK and US F-35 military jets on the east lawn at Windsor Castle.
It will be the first time US and UK aircraft have flown together for such a visit.
Grand state banquet – Evening
The traditional grand state banquet is set to take place at Windsor Castle in the evening, with both Mr Trump and Charles set to give speeches.
How long is Trump in the UK for?
The president will depart on the evening of Thursday, 18 September.
He is the first US president ever to have a second state visit to the UK, after he was hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in 2019.
Sir Keir Starmer made the offer when the prime minister flew to Washington soon after the president was inaugurated in January.
Keir Starmer gave Donald Trump a letter from King Charles in February. (PA)
When are the protests?
A group called the Stop Trump Coalition are planning protests in both Windsor and London during the president’s trip.
Their biggest protest will be held in London’s Parliament Square on the afternoon of 17 September.
The group is supported by numerous political organisations in the UK, including Greenpeace, Amnesty International, Black Lives Matter and the National Education Union.
On Monday, activists unfurled a giant photo of Trump with Jeffrey Epstein outside Windsor Castle.
In a TikTok post, the People vs Elon protest group shared an aerial video of a giant poster of the pair being carried and straightened out by several activists on a field.
Activists claim this is the ‘world’s biggest photo’ of Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein. (PeoplevsElon)
Trump has been dogged by questions about his friendship with Epstein, with the White House recently denying that an alleged birthday letter from him to the late financier is authentic.
The group, which has confirmed to Yahoo News that it was responsible for the photo, wrote: “The British public just crowdfunded the WORLD’S BIGGEST PHOTO of Donald with convicted p*dophile Jeffrey Epstein.
“And here is right outside Windsor Castle, where Trump is staying with the King this week.”
It is not clear exactly where the picture has been placed, and Yahoo News has asked Thames Valley Police if it has the power to remove it.
How much will it cost the taxpayer?
It’s unlikely we’ll ever get a true cost of the state visit, but it is going to cost a lot.
During his last state visit, the Met Police said it cost them £3.5m, with more than 6,300 officers deployed.
The extensive security operation will also involve the UK and US secret services and likely some of both of the nations’ military forces.
This time round, the president will also be spending significant time at Windsor, which is under the jurisdiction of Thames Valley Police and will likely add to costs.
The security operation will also have some economic costs, as numerous roads will be closed for the president as he moves around.
Police at protests during Trump’s last state visit in 2019. (PA)
This is all before we consider the pomp that will be rolled out, Red Arrow flight displays and military parades aren’t cheap.
Keeping him and his party fed will also be expensive.
It was reported that the banquet hosted for French president Emmanuel Macron in July cost £300,000 to feed its roughly 160 guests.
This somewhat put the King to shame as the meal he was served on a state trip to Paris caused a minor scandal due to its cost.
French media reported that the lavish lobster dinner in 2023 cost the French government €475,000 (£400,000), with just under a tenth of the bill going solely on wine.
The costs of pleasing Trump may end up costing even more.
He is known to be a huge fan of the Royal Family as well as a bit of pomp, so for the current government that is eager to keep the president happy, there may not be a cost they’d be unwilling to pay.
