Trump UK visit: President has state banquet with Queen as Labour announces Corbyn will speak at protest
US leader an ‘egregious example of growing far-right threat’, says Sadiq Khan after Twitter spat
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Your support makes all the difference.Protesters have denounced Donald Trump as “frightening and dangerous” and claimed his state visit is “an invitation for his ideology to be imported” to the UK, during a dramatic first day of the US president's second state visit to the country.
During a state banquet at Buckingham Palace, Queen Elizabeth II greeted the president, and reminded those in attendance of the "close and longstanding friendship" between their two countries — and appeared to rebuke Mr Trump's so-called America-first ideology that has threatened once close alliances and shaken the international community.
"I am so glad that we have another opportunity to demonstrate the immense importance that both our countries attach to our relationship," the Queen said.
The itinerary for Mr Trump going forward includes meetings with business leaders, a tour of historic British buildings, and trips to Portsmouth and Normandy — with the latter coming on the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
The Queen, during her remarks, used that historic moment in the Second World War to reinforce the importance of the US-UK relationship.
"On that day — and on many occasions since — the armed forces of both our countries fought side-by-side to defend our cherished values of liberty and democracy," she said.
"As we face the new challenges of the 21st Century, the anniversary of D-Day reminds us of all that our counties have achieved together," she continued, addressing the kinds of international coooperation in the post war years that Mr Trump appears to have disregarded as president. "After the shared sacrifices of the Second World War, Britain and the United States worked with other allies to build an assembly of international institutions to ensure that the horrors of conflict would never be repeated."
But, nearby in London, protesters denounced the president who had lashed out at mayor Sadiq Khaan as his trip loomed.
“It’s one thing to tolerate it, it is something else to promote it,” 46-year-old Hada Moreno told The Independent outside Buckingham Palace of Mr Trump's ideological stance.
But the US president’s backers were also present, calling him “a hero”. One said: “After Brexit we will need him for trade as well as security.” It came after Mr Trump lashed out at London’s mayor on Twitter, branding him “terrible” and a “stone-cold loser”.
Mr Trump and his wife Melania dined with the Queen at Buckingham Palace. The pair were met by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, and will also take a tour of Westminster Abbey. Observers were curious as to how the Prince of Wales, a keen environmentalist, would get along with the fossil fuel-loving president.
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Here, Mr Trump meets Jeremy Hunt - one of his friend Boris Johnson's rivals for the Tory leadership.
(Leon Neal/Getty Images)
Mr Trump has at least one firm supporter as he arrives in London, writes Tom Batchelor.
"I am supporting the state visit, I respect Trump as the president of the free world. After Brexit we will need him for trade as well as security. America is our longstanding ally," said Joseph Afrane, 55, of Battersea.
There are a handful of pro-Trump demonstrators outside Buckingham Palace.
Joseph Afrane is supporting Mr Trump (Tom Batchelor/The Independent)
While the Trumps freshen up at Winfield House, here's a look back at some other presidential visits.
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The Queen, who has met every single US president since 1945 with the exception of Lyndon Johnson, will entertain Mr Trump and first lady Melania Trump with lunch at Buckingham Palace, a tour of Westminster Abbey and a state banquet, writes Joe Sommerlad.
She last met Mr Trump at Windsor Castle in July 2018, prior to which she hosted his predecessor Barack Obama and his wife Michelle at the same venue on 22 April 2016 – a trip on which the Obamas also met the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at Kensington Palace.
The Queen had previously entertained President Obama for a black tie dinner at Winfield House in London on 25 May 2011, the president stopping by on the second leg of a European tour.
Make that two supporters, writes Tom Batchelor.
Russell, 48, from Shropshire, told The Independent: "The beloved Mr Trump is a hero. Those people who are calling for him to be banned from the UK are fascist.
"And don’t forget, not everyone in the UK is against him. We need a Trump-like figure in Downing Street."
Not everyone is against Trump, says Russell from Shropshire (Tom Batchelor/The Independent)
Jeremy Hunt has said he told Donald Trump that the UK would put on "a fantastic show for him this week because America's our closest ally".
Mr Hunt greeted the US president at Stansted.
Addressing the deep split in public sentiment around Mr Trump's visit during an interview on Sky News, the foreign secretary said: "He is a very controversial president and we've all got used to that over the last two years.
"There are no visits from Mr Trump that don't have unexpected moments."
Sadiq Khan has condemned Donald Trump as "far right" following the US president's insults earlier this morning.
The London mayor's spokesperson said: "This is much more serious than childish insults which should be beneath the president of the United States.
"Sadiq is representing the progressive values of London and our country, warning that Donald Trump is the most egregious example of a growing far-right threat around the globe, which is putting at risk the basic values that have defined our liberal democracies for more than 70 years."
The wording of City Hall's appears to reference the significant anniversary that Mr Trump will be commemorating on Wednesday.
One press photographer has captured a particularly good snap of Marine One flying over London - and past a sign on the BT Tower reading, "Good morning"
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