Donald Trump RECAP: President arrives in UK as protesters threaten chaos

Donald Trump has arrived in the UK for his historic second state visit, making him the first US President to be granted the honour twice.

Mr Trump and his wife Melania are expected to stay overnight at Winfield House, the official US ambassador's residence in London, before being treated to a ceremonial welcome and lavish state banquet at Windsor Castle on Wednesday.

We're ending our live coverage for tonight but make sure to check back in tomorrow for all the latest news on his movements over the next two days. Thanks for following along.

Four people have been arrested in Windsor following what Thames Valley Police described as a "public stunt" and are being held in custody. It comes after an image of Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein was projected onto Windsor Castle ahead of the US President's visit to the royal residence tomorrow.

Chief Superintendent 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.

"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."

Britain and the US have struck a tech deal that could bring billions of pounds of investment to the UK as President Donald Trump touches down for his state visit.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the agreement represented “a general step change” in Britain’s relationship with the US that would deliver “growth, security and opportunity up and down the country”.

The “tech prosperity deal”, announced as Mr Trump arrived in the UK on Tuesday night, will see the UK and US co-operate in areas including artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing and nuclear power.

It comes alongside £31 billion of investment in Britain from America’s top technology companies, including 30 billion dollars (£22 billion) from Microsoft.

The build-up to Mr Trump’s second state visit has already seen London and Washington announce a deal on co-operating on building new nuclear power stations, and a £5 billion investment by Google in Britain’s AI sector.

Protesters projected an image of Mr Trump with notorious paedophile Jeffrey Epstein onto the side of Windsor Castle seconds after he touched down at Stansted Airport this evening.

The current US President and convicted paedophile famously crossed paths on several occasions while Epstein was alive, with one meeting captured in a photograph at Mr Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida in 1997.

Lipreading expert Nicola Hickling has shed light on Donald Trump's conversations with his wife and UK dignitaries after landing in the UK tonight.

When he disembarked from Air Force One with Melania, the president supposedly said "Ooh, it's cold. I'm glad we are wearing our coats", before urging his wife to be "careful" approaching the steps.

As he greeted dignitaries including Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, Mr Trump reportedly said: "Thank you for coming to meet us here, we're having a great September back home". "I think you'll do a good job," he added.

While walking towards the helicopter taking him to the US ambassador's residence in London, the president also asked an unnamed man: "I'm confused, have you managed to organise it with the million other things going on?", according to Ms Hickley.

Donald Trump briefly spoke to reporters after arriving at the US ambassador's residence in London this evening.

He gave a thumbs up and said he had a "great flight" and was looking forward to a "very good day" tomorrow.

Discussing the UK, he added: "Well, I love it. I love Turnberry (the golf course he owns), I love Aberdeen. I have a lot of things here that... they warm my heart. I want to tell you, it's a very special place."

Donald and Melania Trump have landed at Winfield House in Regents Park, London - the home to the US ambassador to the UK since 1955.

He was greeted outside the Grade II-listed building by US ambassador to the UK, Warren Stephens.

The US President's hand was out of sight when he landed in the UK after a bruise was noticed earlier today following weeks of speculation about his health. Mr Trump disembarked Air Force One hand-in-hand with his wife Melania when he touched down at Stansted Airport shortly after 9pm.

Donald Trump will meet the King and Queen at Windsor Castle tomorrow after spending the night at the US ambassador's residence in central London.

While there are no "obligatory codes of behaviour", according to the royal family's website, there are certain protocols the president will be expected to follow.

From addressing the King as "Your Royal Highness" to never turning his back on him, click here to find out which unspoken rules Trump will have to abide by.

Donald and Melania Trump are now en-route to the US ambassador's official residence, Winfield House, in Regents Park, London, via helicopter, where they will stay the night before travelling to Windsor.

There was a heavy police presence at Stansted Airport for the president’s arrival, with armed officers, including some on the rooftops, and searches of vehicles and press camera equipment.

Members of the US security services were also at the airport and carried out searches, with people scanned with security wands.

The US President has been greeted by UK officials and the King's Colour Squadron of the Royal Air Force after landing at Stansted.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper was among those assembled near the foot of the aircraft to meet the president off the plane.

Mr Trump was greeted by them, then walked with his wife to their helicopter, Marine One.

The US President and First Lady have landed at London Stansted, where they will be greeted by the King’s Colour Squadron of the Royal Air Force.

They will also be welcomed by the Viscount Good, Lord-in-Waiting, on behalf of the King, alongside Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, Jennifer Tolhurst, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Essex and Ben Julian Harrington, Chief Constable of Essex Police.

They will then spend the night at Winfield House, the US ambassador’s residence, before heading to Windsor on Wednesday to meet the King and Queen.

Two protesters have been escorted out of a dinner organised by Republicans Overseas UK in Windsor.

Around 80 guests had sat to dine when a man and a woman stood and began chanting “how many will you kill if you drill baby drill”.

The woman unfurled a banner which said: “Oily Money Kills.”

The pair were escorted out and police officers are now in the building speaking to organisers.

UK authorities have planned for "just about every eventuality" ahead of Donald Trump's arrival on a state visit this evening.

The police operation in response to planned protests in Windsor and London will be the biggest since the Coronation, with officers lining the Thames and snipers and drones are also in place.

Donald Trump will land in the UK for his second state visit imminently. The US President is set to touch down at Stansted Airport with the first lady, Melania, at around 8:50pm.

The Marine One chopper that will pick them up once they land is now stationed at Stansted.

The couple will be welcomed on arrival by US ambassador Warren Stephens and The Viscount Hood, Lord in Waiting, on behalf of the King, alongside Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.

The US President described the state visit as a "great honour" ahead of boarding Air Force One to fly to the UK earlier today.

Asked what he hoped to achieve during the visit, Mr Trump told reporters before taking off: “My relationship is very good with the UK, and Charles, as you know, who’s now King, is my friend.

“It’s the first time this has ever happened where somebody was honoured twice. So, it’s a great honour.

“And this one’s at Windsor. They’ve never used Windsor Castle for this before. They use Buckingham Palace. And I don’t want to say one’s better than the other, but they say Windsor Castle is the ultimate, right? So it’s going to be nice.”

He continued: “Primarily it’s to be with Prince Charles and Camilla. They’re friends of mine for a long time, long before he was King, and it’s an honour to have this King.

“And, you know, I think he represents the country so well. He’s such an elegant gentleman and he represents the country so well.”

A proposed deal to slash tariffs on UK steel exports to the US from 25% to 0% has been shelved ahead of Donald Trump's state visit, according to the BBC.

Although the US President told reporters he was "into helping" Britain fine-tune the US-UK trade deal while boarding Air Force One earlier today, the broadcaster said it understands that the proposal to eliminate tariffs has been "put on hold indefinitely".

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has landed at London Stansted Airport, ahead of Donald Trump who is expected to land later this evening.

He has been greeted by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.

Around two dozen people are gathered around 200 metres from Windsor Castle, many of whom are protesting against Donald Trump's visit, but some of whom are waving US flags in a gesture of support for the US President.

The anti-Trump demonstration has been organised by the Stop Trump Coalition, who are also planning a larger protest in central London on Wednesday.

The Royal Standard is flying above the Round Tower of Windsor Castle, meaning King Charles is in residence, ready to meet Mr Trump on Wednesday.

A second man has been arrested for breaching airspace restrictions in place for Donald Trump's second state visit, Thames Valley Police said.

A 37-year-old man from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, was arrested for allegedly flying a drone that breached the restrictions. The force previously said that another man, also 37 and from Brentford, west London, was arrested on suspicion of flying a drone that breached the restricted area earlier today.

Thames Valley Police Inspector Matthew Wilkinson said: “In line with standard protocol for events of this magnitude, a strict airspace restriction is now in effect.

“This measure is essential to ensure the safety of both the local community and all attendees of the state visit.

“We expect full cooperation from the public and will not hesitate to take enforcement action where necessary. We appreciate your understanding and compliance during this significant state occasion.”

People have begun gathering in Windsor to protest against Donald Trump's state visit. A group of demonstrators carrying signs with anti-Trump messages are walking towards Peascod Street in the city centre, chanting: "Say it loud, say it clear, Donald Trump's not welcome here."

One protester held a sign saying "hate never made any nation great" and another held a sign with a picture of Mr Trump with a red line through it, alongside the message: "Traitor, hater, would-be dictator. #Impeach45".

Donald Trump will land in the UK tonight for a historic second state visit - the first for a US President - which highlights the "special bond" between the two nations, says a Republican who lives in the UK.

Sarah Elliott, board member of Republicans Overseas UK and Director of the UK-US Special Relationship Unit for the Prosperity Institute, said: “The second state visit offered by the King is a wonderful gesture of friendship and respect to President Trump.

"It underscores the transatlantic alliance, despite the political differences between the President and Prime Minister Starmer.”

READ MORE HERE

Donald Trump was photographed boarding his helicopter as he heads for the UK where he will be dined and wined by King Charles

Queen Camilla will no longer be attending the Duchess of Kent's funeral this afternoon as she is recovering from acute sinusitis, Buckingham Palace has said.

Read more here.

The announcement raises doubts over her attendance at US President Donald Trump's state visit this week, with a busy schedule of engagements starting tomorrow.

However, the Queen is said to hope to have recovered sufficiently to attend all elements of the busy state visit on Wednesday and Thursday.

A 37-year-old man from Brentford, London, was arrested at Windsor Great Park on suspicion of flying a drone that breached an airspace restriction order.

The incident is being investigated under aviation legislation and the man remains in police custody.

UK and US flags can be seen flying outside Windsor Castle ahead of President Trump's arrival this evening.

The world's fourth-biggest company, Google owner Alphabet, has announced a £5 billion ($6.8 billion) investment in UK artificial intelligence (AI) ahead of Trump's state visit.

The money will be used for infrastructure and scientific research over the next two years. Google's president and chief investment officer, Ruth Porat, told BBC News there were "profound opportunities in the UK" for its "pioneering work in advanced science".

The company is set to open a £735 million data centre in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves on Tuesday.

The giant orange inflatable blimp that became one of the most striking images of Donald Trump's previous visits to the UK will not be flown this week, its creator has confirmed. 

The balloon, created by Leo Murray and co-designed by artist Matt Bonner, was originally created to mock Mr Trump. However, Mr Murray says the political climate is different today: it is “not really a laughing matter anymore”.

 “Back in 2019, Donald Trump was a figure of fun for the British public. Most people thought he was an idiot, and we were amazed that the American people had elected this guy to be the president," he told The Independent.

“ We no longer own the blimp. We gave the blimp to the Museum of London. We just didn’t think we would need it again.”

A huge banner showing Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein has been unfurled outside Windsor Castle, where the US President will be staying with King Charles.

Read more here.

Sir Keir Starmer's office has said that the visit will show that "the UK - US relationship is the strongest in the world, built on 250 years of history" and bound by shared values of "belief in the rule of law and open markets".

According to a senior White House official - who was not authorised to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity - the White House expects the two countries to strengthen their relationship during the trip and celebrate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the US.

"The trip to the UK is going to be incredible," Mr Trump told reporters Sunday. He said Windsor Castle is "supposed to be amazing" and added: "It's going to be very exciting".

Donald Trump is going to go easy on Sir Keir Starmer when he meets the UK PM on Thursday amid intense political pressure, according to reports.

One former US official told The Telegraph: “This trip will be about the splendour of Windsor Castle, inspecting the troops, the big banquet. This is a big deal for him. And the plan is to keep it about that.”

They added that Mr Trump understood that Sir Keir “was on the ropes”.

Several protests will be taking place over the next few days against Donald Trump's state visit. This includes:

- A local protest in Windsor on Tuesday evening, by The Stop Trump Coalition.

- A "Trump Not Welcome" demonstration has been planned by the same group in London on Wednesday. The group previously organised a protest against the US president’s visit in 2018, which drew around 250,000 attendees.

- Socialist Students have said hundreds of students have pledged to walk out of schools, colleges and universities across the country on Wednesday.

A spokesperson for the Stop Trump Coalition said: “We are protesting against this undeserved state visit to make sure the world knows this is not done in our name."

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey has said he will boycott the ceremonial banquet for Mr Trump to “send a message” to the US president and Sir Keir Starmer over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Northern Ireland’s Michelle O’Neill will also not attend, saying that people should be more concerned about the "biggest humanitarian crisis of our time" in Gaza.

Not everyone is against Mr Trump's second state visit. People in Turnberry, Scotland, were “cheering” US President Donald Trump when he visited in July, the chairman of Republicans Overseas group said.

Greg Swenson said he was “thrilled” about Mr Trump’s state visit to the UK and that he had visited Turnberry when the president was there over the summer.

Mr Swenson said: “I noticed that, in spite of the protests, which were managed quite well, the people on the street were quite welcoming to the president.

“So from the airport where he landed, all the way to Turnberry, lining the streets, unplanned or unorganised, but cheering him on.

“So the people, you know, I’m not saying all the people, but many people were thrilled.”

Officers deployed for Trump's state visit will have access to a wide range of equipment and weapons, including tasers, Glock 17 sidearms, rifles and shotguns.

They will also have access to overalls, gloves, respirators and ballistic helmets “for anything that is CBRN-related – chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear,” police sergeant and operational firearms commander Daniel Hatfield said.

“That is something which hopefully is very unlikely to happen, but if there was ever to be a firearms threat as well as CBRN, this is what we would deploy with our weapons system,” Sergeant Hatfield added.

The equipment will be kept in ARV vans, alongside a first-aid kit and ballistic protection shields.

Drones, horses, dogs and marine units are also in use both before and during the visit, with patrols on the River Thames, water and riverbank searches around Windsor and airspace restrictions in place around Windsor and Chequers.

Donald Trump is being welcomed to the UK for an unprecedented state visit.

He becomes the first US president to be invited for a second state visit, having first been welcomed in 2019.

Previously, when a US President serving a second term has visited the UK, they are instead invited for a tea or lunch with the monarch, as was the case with Barack Obama and George W Bush.

After receiving the King's invitation in February, Mr Trump said it was a "great, great honour".

Tuesday, September 16

The US president and first lady are due to arrive at Windsor Castle's private estate on Tuesday evening (September 16), where they will be welcomed ceremoniously by the ambassador of the United States of America and Viscount Hood, Lord-in-Waiting, on behalf of King Charles.

Wednesday, September 17

A state banquet will follow on Wednesday, as well as a greeting by the Prince and Princess of Wales, followed by a formal welcome by the King and Queen. There will also be a flypast by the Red Arrows and UK and US F-35 jets over Windsor Castle.

Thursday, September 18

On Thursday, Mr and Mrs Trump will visit Chequers - Sir Keir Starmer's country home in Buckinghamshire - to meet the prime minister and Lady Starmer.

The visit will last three days, and Mr Trump will leave on Thursday.

Preparations are underway in Windsor ahead of the visit by Donald and Melania Trump.

Security around Windsor Castle will operate at a “very high threat level” on Tuesday before US President Donald Trump arrives for his second UK state visit, police confirmed.

Thames Valley Police said its operation was “comprehensive” and under constant review, citing both planned protests and last week’s assassination of Republican activist Charlie Kirk in Utah.

Read more here.

Demonstrators from the Stop Trump Coalition plan to take to Windsor High Street on Tuesday evening. The next day, they will march through central London, ending with a mass rally in Parliament Square.

Inviting US President Donald Trump for a second state visit was a “catastrophic” failure of judgment by Sir Keir Starmer, a campaigner from protest group Stop Trump Coalition, said.

Speaking on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Zoe Gardner said: “I think the saddest thing that I’ve actually heard about this visit is that he is going to get his golden carriage ride, but in private, because the Great British public probably would have given him the ‘rotten tomato’ treatment if he dared to show his face in public.

“We don’t like Donald Trump, but I think that this hiding him away, it reflects the sort of crouch position that the Government is in overall about this meeting.

“They’re just desperate to get through it because they know that inviting him in the first place was just one more in a long line of catastrophic political failures of judgment by our Prime Minister.”

She also described the state visit as “shameful and humiliating for the UK”, adding:

“There is an enormous line between a relationship and diplomacy with the United States, and letting this toddler come here and use our country as a theme park and honouring him with a red carpet and a banquet with the King."

Good morning and welcome to our coverage of the first day of Donald Trump's second state visit to the UK. The US President is set to arrive on Tuesday evening and he and the first lady, Melania, will be hosted by King Charles at Windsor Castle.

However, Mr Trump will also be met with protests this evening, as demonstrators from the Stop Trump Coalition plan to take over Windsor High Street.

Please follow along for updates.