US President Donald Trump landed in Britain on Tuesday for an unprecedented second state visit, with the UK government rolling out a royal red carpet welcome to win over the mercurial leader.
The 79-year-old Republican and his wife Melania received a guard of honour as they stepped off Air Force One at Stansted Airport near London.
“It’s going to be a very big thing,” Trump told reporters during the flight.
Trump, who has long been fascinated by the British monarchy, is the first US president to be invited for two state visits, after previously being hosted by Queen Elizabeth II during his last term in office in 2019.
King Charles III will host Trump at Windsor Castle for a lavish banquet and carriage ride on Wednesday, before Trump meets Prime Minister Keir Starmer at his country residence on Thursday.
“Charles, as you know, who’s now king, is my friend,” Trump told reporters at the White House earlier. “He’s such an elegant gentleman and he represents the country so well.”
Security is tight for the visit and the setting at Windsor Castle means Trump will be far away from crowds, with his schedule due to avoid London, where a large anti-Trump demonstration has been called on Wednesday.
But several dozen demonstrators, holding anti-Trump signs and chanting slogans, rallied on Windsor High Street in the shadow of the castle, late on Tuesday.