Trump makes second state visit to the UK

President Donald Trump relished the glow of a British royal spectacle Wednesday, greeted at Windsor Castle on his state visit by King Charles III, military honour guards and mounted troops before paying a private tribute at Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb.
Joined by first lady Melania Trump at St George’s Chapel on the castle grounds, the president placed a wreath in honour of Elizabeth, who died in 2022. Later, he sat with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, chief of staff Susie Wiles and other American officials for a musical performance from the chapel choir.
Trump’s visit began with Prince William and his wife, Kate, meeting the presidential helicopter in the private Walled Garden on the vast Windsor estate, then walking the Trump over to be greeted by Charles and Queen Camilla.
The castle is an almost 1,000-year-old royal residence of gilded interiors, crenelated towers and priceless artworks. A gigantic royal standard the flag used for official celebration days flew from the Royal Tower for the occasion.
The guests travelled to the castle in a procession of horse-drawn carriages, past ranks of soldiers, sailors and aviators. The king and the Republican president chatted in the Irish State Coach during the short journey to the castle quadrangle, where Trump, accompanied by Charles, inspected an honour guard of soldiers in red tunics and bearskin hats.
They continued to chat and joke together as the day progressed, with the king putting his hand on Trump’s back a few times. Trump stepped in front of Charles during a review of troops, though the king had gestured, inviting the president to do so and avoiding a violation of protocol. That was not the case in 2019, when Trump stepped in front of Queen Elizabeth during his first state visit.
The pomp and pageantry are deliberate, meant to bolster ties with Trump at a time when his America First policies are putting pressure on trade and security arrangements around the globe. For the grandeur-loving president, festivities involved 120 horses and 1,300 troops including the largest guard of honour in living memory.
An opening day full of ceremony and good feelings will give way to the real work Thursday when Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meet, with the stakes high for the host country.