Crowds have turned out to support Donald Trump in Windsor before the King welcomes the US president.
Mr Trump will begin the schedule for his unprecedented second state visit to the UK this morning with a formal reception by Charles at Windsor Castle.
Speaking to The Independent in Windsor, Dianne, 52, from north London, said she thought Mr Trump receiving two state visits showed “what a special man he is”.
However, protesters have shown up in the Berkshire town too, as thousands are set to demonstrate against Mr Trump’s stay on the streets of London later.
In a scathing op-ed in the Guardian, London mayor Sadiq Khan lashed out at Mr Trump, branding him an “autocrat” and accusing him of “ fanning the flames of divisive, far-right politics”.
The US president’s visit is under tight security, with four arrests made near Windsor after pictures of Mr Trump and the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were projected onto the castle.
Wednesday will see the president and first lady Melania Trump treated to a military parade – described by the MoD as the largest guard of honour ever at a state visit – as well as gun salutes, a joint US-UK flypast, a carriage procession, and a lavish state banquet.
Meanwhile, prime minister Keir Starmer is expected to use the visit to bolster the “special relationship”.
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Key Points
- What are Trumps' plans today as King set to welcome president and first lady
- Trump supporters turn out in Windsor for 'special man'
- London mayor Sadiq Khan accuses Trump of fanning flames of far-right politics
- Four arrested after Trump and Epstein images projected onto Windsor Castle
- Met Police prepares for 'significant operation' with up to 50 groups to protest in London
- Key details of UK-US Tech Prosperity deal as Trump visit gets underway
Tourists disappointed most of Windsor shut off for Trump's visit
10:40
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Tara Cobham
The Independent’s reporter Nicole Wootton-Cane reports from Windsor:
One German tourist said today was her one day in Windsor after a long trip to the UK and she was disappointed most of the town was shut off for Trump’s visit. “It is exciting but Trump is not my friend. I will come again next year!,” she added.
How much will Donald Trump’s UK state visit cost taxpayers?
10:30
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Tara Cobham
Crowds turn out to support 'the big boss' Donald Trump in Windsor
10:21
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Tara Cobham
The Independent’s reporter Nicole Wootton-Cane reports from Windsor:
Crowds have turned out to support Donald Trump in Windsor before the King welcomes the US president.
Richard Balding, 32, Dougie Newton, 56, and Charlie Gummer, 34, spoke to The Independent about their reasons for travelling to the Berkshire town today.
“Of course I’m here to support Trump,” Mr Newton said. “He’s the big boss, isn’t he? I like everything about him. Free speech king. I was at the march on Saturday – we look at him as our big boss. We love him.”
He said it was “a shame” Trump hadn’t spoken in parliament. “They should be bringing him here in a gold coach – they’re keeping him prisoner in the castle, aren’t they!”
Streets lining Windsor Castle grow busier
10:10
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Tara Cobham
The Independent’s reporter Nicole Wootton-Cane reports from Windsor:
The streets lining Windsor Castle are growing busier as reporters and TV crews stand alongside supporters and protesters in preparation for Trump’s arrival.
Metal railings have been erected on the footpath running alongside the castle for crowds to gather despite the rain.
Met Police prepares for 'significant operation' with up to 50 groups to protest in London
10:00
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Tara Cobham
The Metropolitan Police said it is preparing for “a significant operation” with as many as 50 protest groups expected to take part in Wednesday’s march in central London.
More than 1,600 officers will be deployed on Wednesday, including 500 assisting from other forces, Scotland Yard said.
Watch Donald Trump UK state visit live as US president to meet King at Windsor Castle
09:50
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Tara Cobham
Trump supporters turn out in Windsor for 'special man'
09:40
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Tara Cobham
The Independent’s reporter Nicole Wootton-Cane reports from Windsor:
Dianne, 52, from north London has come to Windsor today to “show her support” for president Trump. “I think he’s trying to create world peace and promote free speech across the world,” she said.
She added she thought Trump receiving two state visits showed “what a special man he is”.
However, she said she was disappointed the visit would largely be held in private. “It’s a shame he won’t get to see how many people here love him. He’s a man of the people.”
Image of Trump and Epstein seen on vehicle in Windsor
09:32
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Tara Cobham
An image of Donald Trump alongside disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein has been seen displayed on a vehicle in Windsor on the first day of the US president’s state visit to the UK.
It comes after pictures of Mr Trump and the late sex offender were projected onto Windsor Castle on Tuesday evening, with four people subsequently arrested.
Students set to walk out of classes in protest against Trump state visit
09:20
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Tara Cobham
Hundreds of students are expected to walk out of universities, schools, and colleges across the UK on Wednesday to protest Donald Trump’s state visit. Socialist Students, a prominent activist group, has organised 30 local demonstrations nationwide as the US president arrives for his second visit.
Adam Gillman, a recent college graduate and national organiser for the group, said that around 200 students have committed to coordinating these local walkouts.
“I don’t know the exact number, but I would say we would see a lot of students walking out tomorrow,” he said. “It could be hundreds, it could be thousands of students walking out and that would have a big effect.”
Read more here:
Analysis: Trump’s state visit kicks off – but woes accumulate for Starmer
09:10
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Tara Cobham
The Independent’s whitehall editor Kate Devlin writes:
The PM is hoping this historic state visit by the US President will take the heat off some of his domestic woes – which include losing his deputy, his ambassador to the US and a key aide in the last two weeks.
But the bad news keeps coming for Starmer.
This morning’s inflation figures, which show it is stuck at a rate far above the Bank of England’s target, is another blow.
It is a reminder for the Labour leader that the next big set piece in his calendar – the Budget – could be the most important in his political career.
Union Jack and US flags hang as media crews set up outside Windsor Castle
09:00
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Tara Cobham
Gigantic royal standard flys from Windsor Castle's Royal Tower
08:54
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Tara Cobham
A gigantic royal standard, which is used for royal celebration days, was flying from the Royal Tower of Windsor Castle on Wednesday morning.
More than 1,600 police officers to be deployed in London on Wednesday
08:36
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Tara Cobham
More than 1,600 police officers will be on duty to police anti-Trump protests in London, the Metropolitan Police has said.
A march organised by the Stop Trump Coalition will begin by 3pm on Wednesday and protesters will march from Regent Street to Parliament Square. The protest is expected to last until 7pm in the evening.
Deputy assistant commissioner Louise Puddefoot said: "Around 50 protest groups are expected to gather together in central London on Wednesday, on what will be another busy day for officers.
“We have been in close contact with the organisers to ascertain their intentions, and we have engaged with local businesses and community representatives to understand the impact on them. We would ask all those taking part in the protest to be considerate to the local community, and ensure disruption is kept to a minimum."
What are the Trumps' plans for today
08:22
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Tara Cobham
The US president and first lady are to arrive at Windsor via helicopter just before midday today.
Donald and Melania Trump are to be greeted by the Prince and Princess of Wales before being formally welcomed by the King and Queen as a royal salute is fired from the east lawn of Windsor Castle and at the Tower of London.
The Trumps will then be treated to a carriage procession through the Windsor estate with Charles, Camilla, William and Kate along a route towards the castle that is lined by members of the Armed Forces, with three military bands from the Royal Marines, the Army and the RAF.
Mr Trump, accompanied by Charles, is set to inspect the Guard of Honour at Windsor Castle.
Members of the Royal Family will join the Trumps in the State Dining Room and the visitors will be taken to see a special display of Royal Collection items which relate to the United States of America, in the Green Drawing Room.
In a private moment, Mr and Mrs Trump will later visit the late Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb in St George’s Chapel, Windsor, and lay a wreath. It will be followed by a short tour of the chapel and a musical performance from the chapel choir.
Mr 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 and a special beating retreat military ceremony.
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 as the glittering event gets underway.
Trump and Starmer won't let protests 'distract them', cabinet minister says
08:19
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Tara Cobham
Protests against Donald Trump’s state visit are “perhaps inevitable” but the US president and Sir Keir Starmer “won’t let any of that distract them”, a cabinet minister has said.
Technology secretary Liz Kendall said she had not seen reports that four people had been arrested after an image of Mr Trump and deceased paedophile Jeffrey Epstein was beamed onto Windsor Castle.
But she told LBC: “In today’s world, many of these things are perhaps inevitable, but they won’t let any of that distract them.
“They both want to deliver for their countries and their people.”
Pictured: Donald Trump figurine on sale at souvenir shop
08:07
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Namita Singh
London mayor Sadiq Khan accuses Trump of fanning flames of far-right politics
08:00
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Namita Singh
London mayor Sadiq Khan has issued a scathing op-ed directed at Donald Trump ahead of the US president's royal reception today.
Referring to the recent “Unite the Kingdom” march in London organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, Khan accused “President Donald Trump and his coterie” of having “perhaps done the most to fan the flames of divisive, far-right politics around the world in recent years” in an op-ed in The Guardian.
Khan added that while he understood the need to retain strong US-UK ties, the longstanding alliance sometimes “means being a critical friend and speaking truth to power – and being clear that we reject the politics of fear and division.”
The mayor urged leaders to show Trump why the US must back Ukraine, stop “tariff wars that are tearing global trade apart,” and “end Israel’s horrific onslaught on Gaza.”
In pictures: Four arrested for projecting Trump and Epstein images onto Windsor Castle
07:50
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Namita Singh
Four people were arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of malicious communications for allegedly projecting images onto Windsor Castle as a “public stunt", according to police.
On Tuesday night, ahead of a Wednesday visit from US president Donald Trump, giant images of the Republican alongside the late sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein were beamed onto the castle.
Trump expresses 'love' for UK ahead of visit with 'long time' friend King Charles
07:47
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Namita Singh
Donald Trump praised the UK and King Charles late yesterday as the US president arrived at his ambassador’s residence in Regent’s Park, ahead of today's events at Windsor Castle.
“I love it. I love Turnberry,” Trump said of the UK, mentioning the site of one of his golf clubs. “I love Aberdeen. I have a lot of things here that – they warm my heart, I want to tell you. It's a very special place. It's a great place."
The Republican also offered praise for King Charles.
“We are going to see him tomorrow,” Trump said. “He’s been a friend of mine for a long time. And everybody respects him; and they love him.”
Video: Trump clashes with ABC reporter
07:42
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Namita Singh
UK and US strike tech deal as Trump arrives for state visit
07:25
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Namita Singh
Britain and the US have struck a tech deal that could bring billions of pounds of investment to the UK as president Donald Trump arrived for his second state visit.
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said the agreement represented “a general step change” in Britain’s relationship with the US that would deliver “growth, security and opportunity up and down the country”.
The “tech prosperity deal”, announced as Mr Trump arrived in the UK on Tuesday night, will see the UK and US co-operate in areas including artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing and nuclear power.
Report:
Trump to be treated to first joint US-UK military flypast
07:00
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Namita Singh
Donald Trump's state visit will be the first at which UK and US F-35 fighter jets join up for a flyover, as the US president is treated to a military ceremonial described by the government as unprecedented in its scale and spectacle.
The King, whom the American leader hailed as a "friend" on the eve of the event, and Queen will greet him and the first lady with a ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle.
As they shake hands, gun salutes will be fired simultaneously by the British Army in Windsor and at the Tower of London.
The largest guard of honour ever at a state visit will be presented to Trump for inspection, according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Some 1,300 members of the British military and 120 horses will be involved, with 160 personnel from the Royal Marines and Royal Navy, 1,000 from the British Army and 140 from the Royal Air Force.
Trump, whose taste for pomp is well known, will join the King for a carriage procession towards the castle, accompanied by the sovereign's escort of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
UK and US musicians will perform a special Beating Retreat military ceremony, the first time it will be performed at a state visit.
The spectacle will conclude with a joint flypast by UK and US F-35 fighter jets and the Red Arrows, which the MoD said was a demonstration of the strength of the UK-US defence and security relationship.
Why Trump blimp won’t make an appearance at this week’s UK state visit
06:47
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Namita Singh
The Donald Trump baby blimp that soared above London during the US president’s last visit will not make an appearance this week after its creator said it is “not really a laughing matter anymore”.
The orange inflatable, which depicts the leader as an angry baby wearing a nappy and holding a mobile phone, first floated over Parliament Square in July 2018 in protest of Mr Trump’s visit to the UK.
It was flown for a second time during his state visit in June 2019, which also sparked mass protests.
But on his visit to the capital this week, the US president will not have to face an unflattering, air-filled caricature, which now sits in storage.
Why? Read this report to find more:
What Wednesday has in store
06:46
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Namita Singh
- US president Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump are in the United Kingdom for a rare second state visit. They arrived in London yesterday to an official welcome from dignitaries and members of the Royal Air Force.
- Today, the couple will head to Windsor Castle, where King Charles III and Queen Camilla will host them for a day of ceremony and tradition.
- The Ministry of Defence has described the occasion as “the largest military ceremonial welcome for a state visit to the UK in living memory,” promising a spectacle of unprecedented scale.
UK rolls out red carpet for Trump, and hopes to avoid red faces
06:38
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Namita Singh
US president Donald Trump formally begins his unprecedented second state visit to Britain on Wednesday with royal pomp giving a grand veneer to key diplomatic talks, and as difficult questions about Jeffrey Epstein linger.
King Charles and the royal family will roll out the red carpet for the president when he arrives at Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world and family home to British monarchs for almost 1,000 years, with a carriage procession, gun salutes, a military flypast and lavish banquet.
Trump, an overt royal fan, has made little secret of his delight at being not just the first US leader but the first elected politician to be invited by a British monarch for two visits.
"I Love King Charles," he posted on his Truth Social account in February.
Sir Keir Starmer is hoping to use that sentiment to Britain's advantage as the government seeks to use the trip to cement the two nations' "special relationship", deepen economic ties, secure billions of dollars of investment, discuss tariffs, and press the US president on Ukraine.
There have already been major announcements from the likes of Google and agreements on nuclear energy.
"Basically I'm there also on trade. They want to see if they can refine the trade deal a little bit. We made a deal, and it's a great deal. And I'm into helping them," Trump said when he left the White House for Britain on Tuesday.
"They'd like to see if they could get a little bit better deal, so we'll talk to them."
Lavish state banquet being staged for Donald Trump at Windsor
06:05
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Namita Singh
Donald Trump will be wined and dined at a sumptuous white tie state banquet in Windsor Castle on Wednesday evening.
Royal hospitality at its most meticulous and lavish will be deployed in honour of the controversial US president and first lady Melania Trump as they join some 160 guests in the impressive St George's Hall for the extravagant feast.
Every element of the banquet is checked and approved by the King, down to the very last detail.
Charles and the Queen usually inspect the table beforehand in person, making their way round the room in the afternoon and examining the preparations with the Master of the Household, Vice-Admiral Sir Tony Johnstone-Burt.
In a tradition started by the King, a bespoke cocktail will be created specially for the occasion, no doubt celebrating the "special relationship" between the UK and the US.
Preparations for a state banquet start six months before the big event and it usually takes household staff around three days to lay the table.
Guests - who have been invited on the basis of their cultural, diplomatic or economic links to the US - will dine on an exquisite menu, written in French, prepared by royal chefs and served on historic, priceless dinner sets.
The King and Queen will head members of the royal family, with the Prince of Wales expected to attend, and the Princess of Wales likely, but not yet confirmed, to join him, along with other Windsors.
The monarch will be seated next to Mr Trump in the middle of one side of the table, with Mrs Trump and Camilla opposite them on the other side.
At Emmanuel Macron's banquet, Kate was seated next to the president at his right hand side, while William was opposite, next to France's first lady Brigitte Macron.
Other royals will be spread around the table between the guests.
The attending royals have yet to be announced, but at the last state banquet for Mr Trump, there were 16 family members.
Trump: ‘Tomorrow is going to be a very big day’
05:39
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Namita Singh
President Donald Trump offered a few works to reporters as he landed in the UK at London Stansted on Tuesday night, saying: “Tomorrow is going to be a very big day.”
Greeting the press, he praised US ambassador Warren A Stephens for “doing a great job”.
The US president also said he "loves" the UK."I have a lot of things here that warm my heart," he said. "I want to tell you. It's a very special place."
The American leader is being feted with a stay in Windsor Castle, where he will be hosted by the King and treated to a ceremonial welcome on Wednesday and, later, a lavish state banquet.
Starmer criticised for not ‘fighting to stand up for UK steel industry’
05:25
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Namita Singh
The Liberal Democrats said the Labour government had "thrown in the towel" to the US president, who "reneged on" the original agreement for US steel tariffs to fall to zero as part of the British-American trade pact.
Deputy party leader Daisy Cooper said: "It looks like the government has thrown in the towel instead of fighting to stand up for the UK steel industry.
"We were told US tariffs on UK steel would be lifted completely, now that's turned out to be yet another promise Trump has reneged on.
"It just shows Trump is an unreliable partner and that rewarding a bully only gets you so far.
"The best way to protect our economy is to stand with our allies in Europe and the Commonwealth and end Trump's damaging trade war for good."
No public facing engagement for Trump as he lands in UK for state visit
05:16
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Namita Singh
US president Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were greeted by foreign secretary Yvette Cooper as well as RAF personnel from The King's Colour Squadron forming a guard of honour as he arrived on Tuesday evening at London Stansted airport.
Mr Trump and his wife, Melania, later travelled onwards to Winfield House, the official residence of the US ambassador in Regent's Park.
Before arriving in Britain, he hailed the "great honour" of being hosted by the King at "the ultimate" Windsor Castle for his unprecedented second state visit.
On Wednesday, Mr Trump will visit the royal residence, where he will be treated to a ceremonial welcome and a lavish state banquet, before meeting Sir Keir Starmer at the prime minister's country estate, Chequers, on Thursday.
There are no public-facing engagements set for the president, with thousands expected to take part in major protests against his two-day stay.
UK shelves push for 0 per cent tariffs on British steel entering US
04:40
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Namita Singh
A proposed deal to eliminate US tariffs on British steel has been shelved, it has emerged on the eve of Donald Trump's second state visit.
The UK is understood to have paused its push to cut the levy, which stands at 25 per cent, to zero as originally agreed earlier this year.
Mr Trump had hinted at possible tariff relief for British steel as he boarded Air Force One earlier on Tuesday, but Downing Street would not be drawn on the scope for movement ahead of the two-day stay.
Mr Trump told reporters he was "into helping" Britain on refining the transatlantic trade deal signed earlier this year, which slashed trade barriers on a number of goods but failed to agree terms for steel.
"We've made a deal, and it's a great deal, and I'm into helping them," he said.
"They'd like to see if they could get a little bit better deal. So, we'll talk to them."
Asked on Tuesday afternoon whether any progress was expected in cutting the levy, the prime minister's official spokesperson said: "There's a range of things that we're going to discuss with the President... we've obviously got a landmark trade deal.
"(We will) continue to discuss with them how to take that further. But, for obvious reasons, I'm not going to get ahead of those outcomes."
Protesters sound off on anger over Trump UK visit
04:10
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Josh Marcus
Donald Trump’s visit to the UK has already generated protests, even though it has barely gotten underway.
Several dozen anti-Trump activists gathered in Windsor on Tuesday evening, ahead of the US president’s visitor to Windsor Castle tomorrow.
“I am beyond disappointed," Michelle, 32, told AFP. "Donald Trump as a person is... fuelling a lot of the far-right protests that we're already having here.
"It's a humongous problem.”
“We are deeply unhappy with our prime minister, Keir Starmer, humiliating us by rolling out the red carpet for this far-right president who has slapped tariffs on our economy,” Seema Syeda, a member of the Stop Trump Coalition, told NPR.
In scathing op-ed, Sadiq Khan accuses Trump of inflaming global right-wing politics
04:03
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Josh Marcus
As the UK rolls out the red carpet for Donald Trump during his state visit, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has voiced some pointed opinions upon the arrival of the US president.
Referring to the recent “Unite the Kingdom” march in London organised by far-right activist Related News & Content