President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump commenced their second state visit to the UK this evening, Tuesday, September 16, arriving at Stansted Airport. The couple disembarked from Air Force One shortly after 9 PM, away from the main terminal. At the foot of the aircraft steps, they were greeted by the US Chief of Protocol, Ambassador Monica Crowley, and welcomed by The Viscount Hood (also referred to as Henry Hood), Lord-in-Waiting, acting on behalf of the King. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper was also present among those assembled to meet the President. A guard of honour was formed by RAF personnel from The King’s Colour Squadron as Mr. Trump stepped off the plane.

Following the formal greetings, Mr. and Mrs. Trump proceeded to their helicopter, Marine One, which departed from the airport at 9:25 PM. Their onward journey led them to Winfield House, the official London residence of the US ambassador located in Regent’s Park. Security at Stansted Airport was notably stringent for the President's arrival, involving a heavy police presence with armed officers, some positioned on rooftops, alongside thorough searches of vehicles and press equipment. US security services were also on-site, conducting security wand scans.

The visit, however, was met with significant opposition, with protests beginning even before the President's arrival. A small group gathered in Windsor on Tuesday, forming the first in a series of planned demonstrations. The Stop Trump Coalition organized a protest in Windsor and planned another major demonstration in central London for Wednesday. Protesters were seen holding placards and banners condemning the President, chanting slogans such as “Trump out” and “say it loud, say it clear: Donald Trump not welcome here.” In a notable incident, images of Trump alongside convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were projected onto Windsor Castle, leading to four arrests on suspicion of malicious communications by Thames Valley police.

Amidst the protests, London Mayor Sadiq Khan voiced strong criticism of President Trump’s policies and rhetoric. Writing in the Guardian, Khan accused Trump of significantly contributing to the spread of “divisive, far-right politics around the world.” He further stated that Trump’s deployment of military forces in US cities and targeting of minorities mirrored an “autocrat’s playbook.” While acknowledging the pragmatic necessity of maintaining strong ties with the US, Khan asserted that Britain should not shy away from critically engaging with a leader whose actions, in his view, have fanned the flames of divisive politics globally. This reflects Khan's previous public clashes with Trump during his first state visit in 2019, emphasizing the importance of being a “critical friend” in the “special relationship” between the UK and US.

Despite the criticism, the state visit proceeded with elaborate ceremonial events. On Wednesday, King Charles and Camilla were scheduled to greet Donald and Melania Trump with a ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle. This welcome included simultaneous gun salutes fired by the British army in Windsor and at the Tower of London. A historically large guard of honour, comprising approximately 1,300 members of the British military and 120 horses, was to be presented to Trump for inspection. This included 160 personnel from the Royal Marines and Royal Navy, 1,000 from the British army, and 140 from the Royal Air Force. The President, known for his appreciation of pomp and pageantry, was also expected to join King Charles for a carriage procession towards the castle, escorted by the sovereign’s escort of the household cavalry mounted regiment. A special Beating Retreat military ceremony, performed by British and US musicians, marked the first time this event was part of a state visit. The day culminated in a lavish state banquet featuring performances by the Duchess of Edinburgh’s String Orchestra, the State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry, and pipers from the Scots Guards.

Public sentiment regarding the visit was varied. While thousands were expected to protest, some individuals expressed support for the President. Anne Daley, 65, from Cardiff, for instance, attended with a cardboard cutout of Trump and a “Make America Great Again” hat, hoping his visit could foster world peace and expressing the view that America is a necessary ally. Conversely, local resident David Citrine, 73, while not protesting himself, believed the demonstrations reflected the views of most UK citizens, stating his preference for Trump not to be visiting, despite understanding the pragmatic reasons. The visit also included a planned trip for Trump to Keir Starmer’s country residence, Chequers, in Buckinghamshire on Thursday, with aviators from RAF Halton lining the route upon his arrival.