Trump UK go to dwell: President hails ‘priceless and eternal’ US-British bond at lavish state banquet with King | EUROtoday

Thousands gathered in central London to protest about Donald Trump’s historic second state go to to the UK.

While the US president was handled to pomp and pageantry at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, with supporters lining the streets, the British capital was dwelling to way more irreverent scenes.

Several Trump impersonators walked the march to Parliament Square, full with closely orange tans and voluminous blond hair. Palestinian flags and pro-Palestine placards dominated the gathering, as did chants of “Free Palestine” and “Donald Trump, you’re a clown. You’re not welcome in our town.”

The march, organised by the Stop Trump Coalition, noticed MPs Zarah Sultana, Jeremy Corbyn and several other different audio system take to the stage to criticise Mr Trump’s go to.

More than 1,600 cops had been deployed throughout the town, together with 500 helping from forces exterior of London, with a heavy police presence round Downing Street and the Cenotaph.

Donald Trump meets prime minister Keir Starmer on Thursday within the centrepiece of the US president’s second state go to to Britain.

The two leaders are set to unveil a £150bn ($205bn) US funding package deal within the UK, spanning expertise, power and life sciences – a transfer each side hope will reinvigorate the “special relationship.”

The day follows a glittering Wednesday programme of royal carriage rides and a state banquet with King Charles.

Today’s focus shifts to arduous diplomacy and financial ties, with main bulletins together with a expertise pact involving Microsoft, Nvidia, Google and OpenAI, value £31bn ($42bn).

Later, Trump and Starmer will maintain a joint press convention – a possible flashpoint, with questions anticipated on their hyperlinks to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Starmer final week sacked Peter Mandelson as US ambassador over his connections to Epstein, whereas Trump’s personal previous ties have additionally drawn scrutiny.

Starmer, grappling with home challenges, will search to challenge a constructive worldwide narrative and stress cooperation on world points.

Trump, in the meantime, is eager to focus on the worth of shut ties with London as he tries to centre his state go to on world affairs quite than US politics.

The prime minister has accepted that hopes of securing additional reductions on US metal and aluminium tariffs have pale, with officers taking part in down the probability of progress.

Instead, Starmer will level to Britain’s rising function as a magnet for US funding, notably in monetary companies, expertise and power.

At Chequers immediately, high of his agenda is an attraction for the US president to step up strain on Russia over its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Prime minister Keir Starmer is predicted to announce recognition of a Palestinian state this weekend, as soon as Donald Trump concludes his state go to to Britain, in line with The Times.

Starmer has beforehand stated he would transfer on recognition forward of the UN common meeting in New York this month if Israel failed to enhance the humanitarian scenario in Gaza. High-level conferences on the UN start on 23 September.

The Labour chief is known to have delayed any formal announcement till after Trump departs, to keep away from the problem overshadowing their deliberate joint press convention at Chequers on Thursday.

Starmer first floated recognition in July below strain from Labour MPs involved about situations in Gaza.

At the time, he made it clear the step was conditional – saying he would chorus if Israel dedicated to a ceasefire, a long-term two-state answer, and allowed assist to circulation via the UN.

The transfer has already set Starmer at odds with Washington, which stays against recognition. But different international locations – together with France, Australia and Canada – are making ready to take the identical step on the UN gathering later this month.

President Donald Trump paid a glowing tribute to the UK–US relationship throughout a state banquet at Windsor Castle, declaring that the phrase “special does not begin to do it justice”.

The US chief praised the King as a “very, very special man” and singled out each the Prince and Princess of Wales for heat mentions.

Trump described the 2 nations as “two verses of the same poem… meant to be played together”, calling the alliance “priceless and eternal”.

“Today, however, we celebrate a relationship between our two countries that surely neither Washington nor King George III could possibly have imagined.

“The ocean should divide us, however in so some ways we at the moment are the closest of kin.”

The King, in turn, spoke of the “enduring bond” between the two nations, highlighting their transformation from historic enemies into “the closest of kin”, while also stressing his long-held concerns about the environment.

The lavish evening, attended by figures such as Rupert Murdoch and golf legend Sir Nick Faldo, capped a day of military pageantry and royal welcomes for Trump’s second state visit to Britain.

Outside, thousands marched in London in protest, some reviving the Trump baby blimp from 2019.

The Princess of Wales was hailed as “so radiant and so wholesome and so stunning” by Donald Trump as she glittered in gold at the state banquet.

Kate wore a couture creation by British designer Phillipa Lepley, with a striking full-length, champagne gold hand-embroidered Chantilly lace evening coat featuring a regal-looking high collar over a silk crepe gown.

Trump made a point of referencing the princess, who announced at the start of the year that she was in remission from cancer, in his banquet speech, describing her as “so radiant and so wholesome and so stunning”.

The princess sat next to the American leader at the banquet table and was seen smiling up at him as he delivered his speech.

Trump also praised the Prince of Wales, saying: “His Majesty has additionally raised a outstanding son in His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales. Really superb.

“We’ve gotten to know you and I think you’re going to have an unbelievable success in future.”

He added: “Melania and I are delighted to visit again with Prince William and to see Her Royal Highness, Princess Catherine, so radiant and so healthy, and so beautiful. It’s really a great honour, thank you.”

Kate beamed as she stood and raised her glass to toast the president after he addressed the 160 visitors in St George’s Hall.

Kate’s delicate coat featured hand-embroidered roses with couched gold cording, accented with French knots and satin-stitched blooms, demonstrating her dedication to supporting British craftsmanship and creativity.

Her earrings belonged to the late Queen and the princess opted for her go-to tiara the Lover’s Knot Tiara and wore her hair down and styled in waves.

Earlier within the day, Trump appeared to inform future queen, Kate, “You’re so beautiful, so beautiful” as she greeted him and the First Lady Melania Trump at Victoria House with the Prince of Wales in the beginning of the historic state go to.

Sir Keir Starmer is ready to host Donald Trump at Chequers this afternoon because the US president continues his second state go to to Britain.

The two leaders might be accompanied by main expertise CEOs, who’re anticipated to participate in bulletins of latest tech partnerships, a US official stated.

The prime minister is looking for to highlight a promised £150bn wave of American funding and a brand new UK–US “technology prosperity deal” targeted on AI, whilst questions swirl over what concessions Washington could anticipate in return.

Talks on decreasing metal tariffs seem to have stalled.

Today’s joint press convention is shaping up as essentially the most high-risk second of the go to, with potential clashes on Middle East coverage and questions on each governments’ hyperlinks to Jeffrey Epstein.

Trump was visitor of honour at a Windsor Castle banquet final night time, attended by the King and main US tech chiefs together with Sam Altman, Tim Cook and Jensen Huang.

US President Donald Trump is ready to fulfill with Sir Keir Starmer at Chequers on Thursday.

The pair will view the Sir Winston Churchill archives earlier than holding a bilateral assembly. Afterward, they’re anticipated to carry a press convention.