President Trump and his wife Melania began their three day state visit to the United Kingdom yesterday. The couple flew into Stansted Airport in London on Air Force One; The President and First Lady were taken from the airport to Winfield House in Regents Park, home to the US Ambassador. It is where they are staying for the duration of their time in the country.
This was a State Visit with the pomp of every other that has come before it, however it did not feature the traditional carriage ride to Buckingham Palace as that was deemed too much of a security risk. Instead, at midday President and Mrs Trump touched down in the gardens of Buckingham Palace in Marine One – the President’s helicopter.
Looking on from a balcony was his daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared, who arrived in the UK yesterday. The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall were the first Royals to greet the First Couple and escorted them towards The Queen who was standing on the rear steps of Buckingham Palace to greet them.
After posing for the assembled press and an inspection of the Guard of Honour with Prince Charles, the party made their way inside of the palace for a private lunch; they were joined by The Duke of Sussex, The Duke of York and The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
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Embed from Getty Images
Following lunch, the party viewed pieces from the Royal Collection Trust. On show there was American pieces, such as a copy of the US Declaration of Independence, a portrait of George Washington and a telegram sent from George VI to General Eisenhower after the D-Day landings.
There were also items which appealed to Trump’s personal liking and also to his Scottish heritage, such as a bolt of Harris tweed and some of the Royal Family’s golfing memorabilia – including photos of George VI and Edward VIII playing golf in Scotland. President Trump seemed interested and asked The Queen questions about the items.
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Embed from Getty Images
The items include photographs and a telegraph from King George VI and Queen Elizabeth’s visit to the US in 1939, where they were entertained by President Roosevelt in Washington and New York for three days. #USStateVisit pic.twitter.com/AmyfBeIF5L
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 3, 2019
However, when it came to the pewter horse that he gifted to The Queen during his visit to Windsor Castle last year, he had no recollection of it! Melania was on hand to help him though, saying; “I think we gave that to The Queen.”
Later that evening, a State Banquet was held in the Ballroom for the visit.
