US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania began their state visit to the UK yesterday. Marine One carried Trump to the Walled Garden at Windsor Castle, where Prince and Princess of Wales William and Kate greeted him.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla then welcomed President Trump and First Lady Melania at Victoria Lodge within the castle, as a 41-gun salute sounded. The King and the President then boarded the Irish State Coach, traveling through the castle estate.

King Charles III and President Trump in the royal carriage at Windsor Castle, 17/9. _Photo: Reuters_

Following the King and Trump's carriage was another carrying Queen Camilla and the First Lady. Prince and Princess of Wales William and Kate also rode in a carriage with US Ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens and his wife. The royal cavalry escorted the procession.

The Irish State Coach is typically used by the British monarch to travel from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster for the State Opening of Parliament.

In 2019, during Trump's first state visit to the UK, the US Secret Service rejected the plan to travel by carriage due to security concerns. This time, the carriage remained within Windsor Castle grounds, with limited public access, to ensure the President's safety.

Queen Camilla and US First Lady Melania in a carriage. _Photo: Reuters_

The UK Ministry of Defence described yesterday's elaborate welcome as "unprecedented," involving 1,300 military personnel. The Trumps arrived in London the night before, and the President stayed overnight at Winfield House, the US ambassador's residence.

King Charles III deployed "crown diplomacy" with the most formal ceremonies to welcome the Trumps. Following engagements with the King and Queen, Trump met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Ngoc Anh (Telegraph, CNN, BBC)