Donald Trump returns to the UK: State visit with royal fast and unprecedented security measures
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, arrives on Tuesday, in the United Kingdom, in a state visit that is announced to be one of the most spectacular and, at the same time, one of the strictest guarded in recent years.
Donald Trump and Melania, wait in the UK/Photo: Getty Images
Although, traditionally, the US leaders in the second term only benefit from restricted meetings with the British monarch, Trump breaks the patterns. Between September 16 and 18, it will be received with all the honors in Windsor, in a program that includes carriage processions, a state banquet in Saint George's Hall and high-level meetings with the royal family and the British prime minister.
Meeting with the royal family
On Tuesday evening, Trump and his wife, Melania, will arrive in the UK and will be accommodated at Windsor Castle, in the context in which the Buckingham Palace is under renovation.
The next morning, the presidential couple will be welcomed by the prince and princess of Wales, then by King Charles and Regina Camilla, in a public ceremony in the castle domain. From here, the cortege will move to a royal carriage, escorted by the royal cavalry and military fanfare. Unlike Emmanuel Macron's recent visit, the route of the Americans will not pass through the city, but will be limited to the royal domain.
According to the traditional Guard of Honor, Trump and the Royal Family will take lunch together and visit an exhibition from the Royal Collection. At a more discreet moment, but with a symbolic load, the president and his wife will lay a crown of flowers at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II, in the St. Chapel. George.
In the evening, on the eastern lawn of the castle, Red Arrows-the famous RAF acrobatics formation-will evolve alongside British and American F-35 aircraft, in an unprecedented air show for a state visit. The day will end with a fast royal banquet in Saint George's Hall, where both the king and the US president will hold official speeches, writes The Sun.
The political agenda
Thursday morning, after he will say goodbye to King Charles and Queen Camilla, Donald Trump will go to the prime minister's official residence. Here he will be welcomed by Keir Starmer and his wife, in a ceremony with military honors. The two leaders will visit the archive dedicated to Winston Churchill, will have bilateral discussions and participate in an economic event, concluded with a press conference.
Meanwhile, the first lady will remain in Windsor, where she will visit Queen Mary's doll and the Royal Library, and then will be accompanied by Princess Kate at Frogmore Gardens for a meeting with British scouts.
Trump will not hold a speech in the Parliament – a privilege usually reserved for the heads of state – because of the parliamentary vacation. However, this absence avoids a delicate situation, after several deputies expressed their reserves towards such an invitation.
A visit under the sign of maximum security
If at the diplomatic level the visit reaffirms the transatlantic bonds, at the logistics level it represents a real challenge for the British authorities.
The Thames Valley police, responsible for the security of the Windsor area, has developed a complex operation, with patrols in the air, on the water and on the ground. Over 50 drones will supervise the air space, and special intervention units will be present non-stop near the castle. In parallel, law enforcement received anti-drone equipment to prevent any attempt to attack.
Chris Phillips, former head of the National Antiterrorist Security Office, warns that the danger should not be underestimated: “We are not only talking about a remote attack, but also of direct contact risks. Even an improvised drone could be a threat. Trump's popularity is deeply divided and the protests are to be prepared.”
Thus, Donald Trump's visit is not only a royal protocol demonstration, but also a resistance test for British security mechanisms.
