President Trump is in the United Kingdom for second state visit
(NBC, KYMA) - President Donald Trump is in the UK Wednesday for his second state visit, and was greeted with pomp as he stays at Windsor Castle while protests are planned in London.
President Trump's visit with the Royals comes as the countries work on trade deals and look for ways to end wars in Gaza and Ukraine that appear to be ramping up despite the president's peace efforts.
Trump in the U.K. for an unprecedented second state visit by an American president.
The royal reception at Windsor Castle was hosted by King Charles with pageantry marked by full military honors and secured by an extraordinary police presence on land, air and water.
"We are going to be doing high visibility patrols, some searching, some specialist searching in and around the area," said Lyn Smith, Marine Support Unit Sergeant.
In one sign of tightened security, an open carriage ride for the president, First Lady, and the Royal family contained inside the castle grounds and out of public view. With a heightened threat environment, this prompted a top to bottom review.
"A review of the routes being taken, the premises, the residence they're staying at, looking at any buildings that overlook those areas," said Graham Wettone, a police expert.
Protesters already gathering outside Windsor. Some unfurled a giant photo of Trump with Jeffrey Epstein.
The scandal over the late sex offender rearing its head in the U.K. after the prime minister fired the British ambassador to the U.S. amid new details about his ties to Epstein.
Protesters also spoke out on the escalating wars in Gaza and Ukraine as Trump again pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to end the war Russia started.
"He's going to have to get going and make a deal," Trump remarked.
The day's events will culminate in a royal banquet in Windsor Castle.
On Thursday, Trump heads to meet with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer at his country estate, with trade expected to feature prominently on the agenda, and the president said the prime minister wants to refine their U.S.-U.K. trade deal.
