Britain rolled out an unmistakably regal greeting today as Their Majesties The King and Queen formally welcomed President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Mrs Melania Trump to Windsor Castle at the start of the President’s second state visit to the United Kingdom, the first time an American president has been accorded a second such honour.
Pageantry on an historic scale
An extra-large Guard of Honour, Guardsmen drawn from three storied regiments of the Household Division, took centre stage on the East Lawn: the Grenadier Guards, the Coldstream Guards and the Scots Guards, each mustering with its own Captain and State Colour. Behind them stood the Massed Bands of the Household Division and the Massed Pipes and Drums, ready to soundtrack a pageant of rare scale.
In all, around 1,300 members of the UK Armed Forces and 120 horses took part: 160 personnel from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, 1,000 from the British Army and 140 from the Royal Air Force. The Ministry described the spectacle as the largest military ceremonial welcome for a state visit in living memory, a fitting salute to an ally long regarded as Britain’s principal defence and security partner.
A cinematic arrival, a thunderous salute
At approximately 12.14pm, Marine One swept into the Walled Garden, accompanied by two support helicopters, for a dramatic arrival seldom seen on royal engagements. The Prince and Princess of Wales received the Trumps on the lawn and walked with them to Victoria House, where The King and Queen offered warm handshakes.
As the President greeted The King, a 41-round gun salute thundered both on the East Lawn and simultaneously at the Tower of London, more than 20 miles away — a double flourish that set the tone for the day.
Through the George IV Gate in state
A carriage procession then formed for the short journey through the estate. The King and President shared the Irish State Coach, the Queen and Mrs Trump the Scottish State Coach. A Sovereign’s Escort of the Household Cavalry led the route, lined by Armed Forces personnel from the Walled Garden to the George IV Gate. Following behind, the Prince and Princess of Wales rode with the US Ambassador to the UK, Warren Stephens, and his wife, Harriet, in a semi-state Landau. Senior members of the US delegation, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, followed in Ascot Landaus.
As the procession entered the Quadrangle, the Massed Bands struck up the US national anthem, followed by God Save the King. On the dais, Lieutenant Colonel Storm Green of the Coldstream Guards, commander of London Central Garrison, ordered: “Royal salute, present arms.” The State Colours dipped, the President saluted and the First Lady placed her hand over her heart.
“Mr President,” Lt Col Green announced, “the Guard of Honour of the Grenadier Guards, the Coldstream Guards and the Scots Guards are present and ready for your inspection.”
The Guard of Honour, around 120 guardsmen and officers, comprised Nijmegen Company Grenadier Guards under Major Gareth Davis, No. 7 Company Coldstream Guards under Major Archie Yorkie, and F Company Scots Guards under Major Thomas Strachan.
A sure-footed inspection — and a nod to 2019
President Trump, accompanied by The King, walked the line with visible good spirits, keeping up a steady conversation with his guide, Lt Col Green. The inspection proceeded smoothly, a contrast with a much-discussed moment during the 2019 visit when he briefly stepped ahead of the late Queen, an incident Buckingham Palace later said was of no consequence.
Beating Retreat and a transatlantic flypast
Ceremonial music continued with 200 UK and US musicians performing the traditional Beating Retreat on the lawn, a sonorous set-piece capped by a flypast from the Red Arrows and UK and US F-35 jets, a vivid reminder of the two nations’ close operational ties.
‘Truly a British welcome’
Windsor’s weather offered its familiar cameo, a stiff breeze and light drizzle, not least from the downdraft of the helicopters, as the royal party and their guests waved to gathered cameras. Earlier, on Air Force One, the President had predicted “great pictures” and “a beautiful event,” adding that he looked forward to “relaxing and having a good time.”
Today also marked the first meeting between Mr Trump and The King since His Majesty’s accession. The President, who returns to the United States on Thursday, has noted repeatedly the historic nature of the occasion.
State banquet to conclude the day
The Trumps are being treated to a full day of pomp and pageantry with the extended Royal Family at Windsor. This evening, a state banquet at the Castle will conclude the opening day of the visit, the culmination of a meticulously choreographed welcome that showcased Britain’s ceremonial best and affirmed a transatlantic partnership writ large across the green lawns of Windsor.
Truly, a very British welcome.
Photos licensed under the MOD Crown Copyright News / Editorial Licence.
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