U.S. President Donald Trump has been accorded full royal honours during his state visit to the United Kingdom, with King Charles III hosting him at Windsor Castle.
The president arrived at the castle grounds in a gilded horse-drawn carriage and was provided a ceremonial inspection of the honour guards in their traditional dress.
More than 1,300 British troops took part in the festivities, which observers described as one of the grandest receptions for a foreign leader in recent time.
Following the ceremony, Trump joined royal family members for a private lunch, before he is to take part in a state banquet later in the evening. While ceremonial in nature, these occasions are seen as reaffirming the historical relationship between the two countries.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the state visit is about more than the royal occasion, and meetings with Trump will have a focus on trade and security cooperation, including addressing global challenges like the war in Ukraine and tensions between Israel and its neighbours.
The visit, however, has not been without controversy. Demonstrators gathered in London to protest Trump’s policies, and police beefed up security to handle large crowds.
For Trump, this is the second time to participate in a state visit to the U.K., making him the only U.S. president to do so on two occasions. Some analysts say the visit emphasizes both Trump’s global stature and the significance of Britain’s relationship with Washington.
As the visit progresses, special attention will be paid to the pomp of the royal reception and the context of political meetings. Observers will want to see whether the pomp leads to tangible policy responses by both countries.
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