US president Donald Trump’s second state visit to the UK, starting this evening, comes at a tricky time for British prime minister Keir Starmer, who is facing growing discontent from his own MPs and is in the middle of preparations for what could be a make-or-break party conference speech.
The UK government is hoping to wow the US president with a show of royal and military pageantry, while shielding him from protest and avoiding sensitive topics such as immigration, free speech, Jeffrey Epstein and Gaza.
Such shielding could only do so much, however. Four people were arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of malicious communications after images of Mr Trump and paedophile financier Epstein were projected onto Windsor Castle, Thames Valley Police said.
Chief Supt Felicity Parker said: “We take any unauthorised activity around Windsor Castle extremely seriously. Our officers responded swiftly to stop the projection and four people have been arrested.
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“We are conducting a thorough investigation with our partners into the circumstances surrounding this incident and will provide further updates when we are in a position to do so.”
Political campaign group Led By Donkeys shared an image of the stunt to Instagram with the caption “Hey Donald, welcome to Windsor Castle”. The four people remain in custody, the force said.
Despite this, what will Trump be doing while in the UK, and what can we expect from the visit?
What is on the agenda?
While Mr Trump and his wife, Melania, were scheduled to arrive on Air Force One on Tuesday night, the main focus of their visit will be Wednesday’s events at Windsor Castle.
A ceremonial welcome with a guard of honour will greet them, followed by lunch with the royal family. Mr Trump will watch a fly-past by the Red Arrows, the aerobatics display team of the Royal Air Force, along with American F-35 military jets, and there will be a military event known as “beating retreat“, a colourful display of music and drill.
On Thursday, the president will travel to Chequers, the official country residence of the British prime minister, where he will be greeted by Mr Starmer and his wife, Victoria. The two leaders are likely to address a news conference in the afternoon. Before that they are expected to visit the Winston Churchill archives at Chequers and to join a business reception.
Ms Trump will remain at Windsor, where she will see Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House with Queen Camilla, and later join Catherine, Princess of Wales, at Frogmore Gardens for an event with Britain’s Scouts Association.
Are any protests planned?
Yes. On Tuesday, organisers have called on protesters to gather in Windsor’s High Street, not far from the castle. For Wednesday, they have scheduled a demonstration in London culminating in a march to Parliament Square.
The state visit has been designed to limit security risks, as well as minimising the opportunity for protesters to confront a president who is broadly unpopular with the British public. The carriage procession will take place inside the royal grounds at Windsor, and the formal agenda does not include events in central London.
If there is a moment of tension, it is likely to come during the news conference on Thursday when issues such as Mr Trump’s connection to the late Epstein, Mr Starmer’s handling of the Peter Mandelson controversy and the UK’s planned recognition of Palestinian statehood are likely to be raised.
Is there to be a parliamentary address?
State visits may include a parliamentary element, usually a speech. Conveniently, the House of Commons is in recess during president Trump’s visit, so he will not formally address MPs.
Nonetheless, state visits can be an important geopolitical tool for the government of the day. Given Mr Trump’s long-standing admiration for the royal family, many analysts view the invitation that Mr Starmer personally delivered to him in February as a potent diplomatic device that helped build their relationship.
Britain’s main foreign policy objective is to solidify support for Ukraine and to persuade Mr Trump to increase pressure on the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, particularly following Russia’s recent drone incursions into Nato airspace.
Mr Starmer has been at pains not to criticise Mr Trump’s stance on international issues, but Britain has diverged from US policy on the war in Gaza, promising to recognise a Palestinian state unless the Israeli government changes course. – The Guardian/PA/New York Times
