VIDEO: Trump arrives in UK for second state visit

US President Donald Trump arrived in Britain on Tuesday for what is being described as an unprecedented second state visit, with the UK government staging an elaborate royal welcome aimed at strengthening ties with the unpredictable American leader.

The 79-year-old Republican, accompanied by his wife Melania, was greeted with a guard of honour as they stepped off Air Force One at Stansted Airport. Speaking to reporters en route, Trump promised, “It’s going to be a very big thing.”

The trip marks the first time a US president has been invited for two full state visits, following Trump’s earlier reception hosted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2019. This time, King Charles III will host him at Windsor Castle, where a lavish banquet and carriage procession are planned for Wednesday, before Trump heads to meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer at his country residence on Thursday.

“Charles, as you know, who’s now king, is my friend,” Trump said ahead of the trip. “He’s such an elegant gentleman and he represents the country so well.”

Security around Windsor Castle has been tightened, and Trump’s itinerary avoids central London, where large demonstrations are expected. Still, a group of protesters gathered near Windsor late Tuesday, waving placards and chanting against the visit. Among them, Michelle, a 32-year-old marketing executive holding a “fascists not welcome” sign, told Agence France-Presse (AFP), “I am beyond frustrated. I’m beyond upset. Donald Trump as a person is I feel like fuelling a lot of the far right protests that we’re already having here.”

The scale of the welcome is without precedent. For the first time, US and UK fighter jets will stage a joint ceremonial flypast, alongside the largest guard of honour ever assembled for such an occasion. Analysts say the British government hopes to use the grandeur of the monarchy to build rapport with Trump, despite his shifting positions on trade, Ukraine, and Gaza.

Trade is expected to dominate his talks with Starmer, with Trump hinting that negotiations will focus on final adjustments to a deal intended to avoid sweeping US tariffs. “They want to see if they can refine the trade deal a little bit,” he noted.

The visit, however, is unfolding against a backdrop of controversy. Both leaders are under pressure: Starmer faces party infighting after a string of political missteps, while Trump continues to face scrutiny over his links to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. On Tuesday, activists projected images of Trump and Epstein onto the walls of Windsor Castle.

Despite the tensions, Downing Street has sought to emphasize solidarity, declaring that the “unbreakable friendship” between Britain and the United States will “reach new heights.” Officials said the two nations are set to finalize agreements worth 10 billion pounds (USD 13.6 billion), including deals in nuclear energy and advanced technology.