LONDON -UNS: Britain treated Donald Trump to an elaborate ceremonial welcome featuring a gun salute and mounted horses as the US president’s unprecedented second state visit began under tight security on Wednesday.
Heir-to-the-throne Prince William and his wife Catherine warmly greeted Trump and First Lady Melania Trump after the Marine One helicopter touched down at Windsor Castle shortly at 12:15 pm (1115 GMT).
Inside a ring of steel and out of sight from noisy protesters, William and Catherine walked Trump and his wife a short distance to meet King Charles III and Queen Camilla as the UK’s major charm offensive got underway.
As the president shook hands with the king, a 41-gun salute was fired simultaneously from six World War One-era guns on the castle’s east lawn, as a similar display occurred at the Tower of London, in the centre of the capital.
Some 120 horses, and 1,300 members of the British military took part in the ceremony, which UK officials say marked the largest military ceremonial welcome for a state visit to Britain in living memory.
The Trumps and the royals then embarked on a carriage procession through the Windsor estate towards the nearly 1,000-year-old castle.
With US president Donald’s Trump second Sate Visit to the UK kicking off, protestors have just erected giant projections across Windsor Castle.
Trump is scheduled to meet King Charles shortly after, whereas Queen Camilla will remain absent due to a sudden bout of illness.
Because of these projections, four people in total have been arrested on “suspicion of malicious communications”, according to the Thames Valley Police said.
Police Chief Superintendent Felicity Parker also said in a statement, “We take any unauthorised activity around Windsor Castle extremely seriously.”
Ever since details of Trumps’ relationship with the billionaire were published by Congress earlier in the month, questions have mounted over the extent of their relationship.
The published notes include a “birthday book” that Trump has since denied, signing.
Moreover, since touching down on British soil Trump has also spoken to reporters, expressing his excitement for this upcoming
According to Sky News Australia he said, “My relationship is very good with the UK, and Charles, as you know, who’s now King, is my friend. It’s the first time this has ever happened where somebody was honoured twice. So, it’s a great honour.”
