President Trump State Visit Britain

Donald and Melania Trump welcome Camilla and Charles to ‘thank you’ dinner
Martine Berg OlsenTuesday 4 Jun 2019 8:19 pm

US President Donald Trump welcomed his guests with a huge smile (Picture: PA/AP/Getty) 
Donald and Melania Trump have welcomed guests including Prince Charles and Camilla to a lavish ‘thank you’ dinner at the residence of the US Ambassador. 

The US President and the First Lady posed for pictures alongside the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall this evening. 

Trump greeted the prince with a handshake after Marine guards opened the door to the royal car outside the Reagent’s Park property. 

They will enjoy a three course meal after a busy day filled with political meetings for Trump. 

 Prime Minister Theresa May and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt are among the guests. 

Camilla and Charles are dining on behalf of the Queen, who will not attend after hosting a banquet in honour of Trump yesterday.
 Trump welcomes Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall for dinner Play Video Loaded: 0% 0:00Progress: 0% PlayMute Current Time 0:00 / Duration Time 0:59 Fullscreen 

The four posed for pictures together (Picture: Getty Images) 

Trump greeted his guests with a handshake (Picture: Reuters) The couple had rolled out the red carpet (Picture: AFP) Trump put on his best smile for the cameras (Picture: PA) The duchess had dressed up in a spectacular white Fiona Clare dress (Picture: PA) 

The couple dressed up in their finest (Picture: Getty Images) 

Six round tables have been set out to set 10 people each, decorated with white roses and candles. 

May and Charles will eat at the president’s table, while his wife will join May’s husband Philip and the duchess at another table. Tonight’s menu kicks off with fresh burrata cheese with heritage tomatoes, basil and Maldon salt. 
The guests will then be served grilled beef with pommes Anna, watercress pure, celeriac and chantenay carrots.
 It ends with summer berries, homemade vanilla ice cream with Muscovado sugar tuile. 
Although Trump himself doesn’t drink, he will serve wines from the Iron Horse winery in northern California, which includes a chardonnay with the starter, a pinot noir with the main course and champagne with dessert. 

Trump and May appeared to be discussing the menu (Picture: Getty Images) They were seated next to Prince Charles (Picture: Getty Images) Melania and Camilla joined Suzanne Ircha, wife of the US Ambassador for a chat ahead of the dinner (Picture: AFP) 
The four have been closed since the Trumps landed in London yesterday (Picture: AFP) Tables are set for the Return Dinner at Winfield House (Picture: PA) The Trumps are hosting a thank you dinner after yesterday’s lavish banquet (Picture: PA) Theresa May will also attend the dinner (Picture: PA)

Read more: https://metro.co.uk/2019/06/04/donald-melania-trump-welcome-camilla-charles-thank-dinner-9811662/?ico=pushly-notifcation-small&utm_source=pushly?ito=cbshare

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MetroUK | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetroUK/

https://metro.co.uk/2019/06/03/queen-welcomes-donald-melania-trump-lavish-state-banquet-9794722/

Queen ‘delighted’ to welcome Donald and Melania Trump to lavish state banquet Martine Berg OlsenMonday 3 Jun 2019 8:54 pm

The Queen said she was ‘delighted’ to welcome the Trumps to Buckingham Palace this evening to celebrate ‘the longstanding friendship’ between the US and UK. 

President Donald Trump returned the favour by calling the Monarch a ‘great, great woman’ before they sat down for a lavish meal of lamb and strawberry sable. 

The Trump dynasty kicked off the night by mingling with the Royal Family at the swanky state banquet organised by the Queen to honour the President. 

Donald and Melania are joined by four out of his five children for a night where industry chiefs rather than stars have joined together.

During her welcome toast, the Queen also mentioned the US and UK’s ‘strong cultural links and shared heritage’ and said the two nations were ‘bound by the strength and breadth of our economic ties’. 
She continued: ‘Mr President, as we look to the future, I am confident that our common values and shared interests will continue to unite us. ‘Tonight we celebrate an alliance that has helped to ensure the safety and prosperity of both our peoples for decades, and which I believe will endure for many years to come.’ 
The Queen finished by inviting the room to raise a toast to the ‘continued friendship between our two nations, and to the health, prosperity and happiness of the people of the US.’
VIDEO 

The Queen is hosting the Trumps for a state banquet at Buckingham Palace (Picture: AP)

The Queen will serve lamb at the banquet (Picture: PA)

Trump and the Queen posed alongside Melania Trump, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall (Picture: PA)

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and his wife Lucia are also in attendance (Picture: PA)

Camilla was escorted in by Robert Wood Johnson, the US Ambassador to the UK (Picture: PA)

Melania walked in with Prince Charles (Picture: PA)

The Queen was dressed in a state evening gown with crystal centred daisies by Angela Kelly, with a Burmese ruby and diamond tiara and a ruby and diamond necklace (Picture: AFP)

The pair shared a laugh (Picture: PA)

VIDEO 
Donald Trump's speech in full: ‘Your Majesty, Melania and I are profoundly honoured to be your guests for this historic state visit. ‘Thank you for your warm welcome, for this beautiful weather, your gracious hospitality, and Your Majesty’s nearly seven decades of treasured friendship with the United States of America. ‘This week, we commemorate a mighty endeavour of righteous nations and one of the greatest undertakings in all of history. ‘Seventy-five years ago, more than 150,000 allied troops were preparing on this island to parachute into France, storm the beaches of Normandy, and win back our civilisation. ‘As Her Majesty remembers, the British people had hoped and prayed and fought for this day for nearly five years. ‘When Britain stood alone during the blitz of 1940 and 1941, the Nazi war machine dropped thousands of bombs on this country, and right on this magnificent city. ‘Buckingham Palace alone was bombed on 16 separate occasions. In that dark hour, the people of this nation showed the world what it means to be British. ‘They cleared wreckage from the streets, displayed the Union Jack from their shattered homes and kept fighting on to victory. They only wanted victory.


Trump called the Queen a ‘great, great woman’ during his speech (Picture: BBC)
The courage of the United Kingdom’s sons and daughters ensured that your destiny would always remain in your own hands. ‘Through it all, the royal family was the resolute face of the commonwealth’s unwavering solidarity. ‘In April 1945, newspapers featured a picture of the Queen Mother visiting the woman’s branch of the Army, watching a young woman repair a military truck engine. ‘That young mechanic was the future Queen, a great, great woman. ‘Her Majesty inspired her compatriots in that fight to support the troops, defend her homeland, and defeat the enemy at all cost. ‘We also pay tribute to Prince Philip’s distinguished and valiant service in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. ‘On D-day, the Queen’s beloved father, King George VI delivered a stirring national address. ‘That day he said, after nearly five years of toil and suffering, we must renew that crusading impulse on which we entered the war and met its darkest hour. Our fight is against evil and for a world in which goodness and honour may be the foundation of the life of men in every land. ‘This evening, we thank God for the brave sons of the United Kingdom and the United States who defeated the Nazis and the Nazi regime and liberated millions from tyranny. ‘The bond between our nations was forever sealed in that great crusade. ‘As we honour our shared victory and heritage, we affirm the common values that will unite us long into future – freedom, sovereignty, self-determination, the rule of law and reverence for the rights given to us by almighty God. ‘From the Second World War to today, Her Majesty has stood as a constant symbol of these priceless traditions. ‘She has embodied the spirit of dignity, duty, and patriotism that beats proudly in every British heart. ‘On behalf of all Americans, I offer a toast to the eternal friendship of our people, the vitality of our nations and to the long-cherished and truly remarkable reign of Her Majesty, the Queen. Thank you.’


In the Buckingham Palace ballroom with its six glittering chandeliers, the vast white-clothed horse shoe-shaped table has been laden with George IV’s silver gilt Grand Service dinner set. Small white place cards embossed with a golden royal crest and edged in gold are at each setting, to show where the 170 guests are to be seated. As is tradition, the Queen, who does not have her own place card, is at the head of the table, with the Prince of Wales on her left and Trump on her right. Joining Trump and Melania at the white tie and tiara event are Ivanka Trump, with her husband Jared Kushner, Donald Trump Jr, Eric Trump and his wife Lara, and Tiffany Trump. Sixteen members of the royal family are at the dinner – the Queen, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Duke of York, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Princess Royal, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and Princess Alexandra.

The Duchess of Cambridge looked stunning as she arrived next to US Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin (Picture: PA)

Theresa May waled in with the Duke of Cambridge (Picture: PA) Over 170 people are attending the banquet (Picture: BBC)

Over 170 people are attending the banquet (Picture: BBC) Staff have spent three weeks to prepare the dinner (Picture: BBC)


Over 170 guests are enjoying a lavish meal (Picture: PA)
 The Duke of Sussex, who was at the private lunch earlier, will be noticeably absent, as will the Duchess of Sussex who is on maternity leave, looking after their four-week-old son Archie. 

Charles, who had tea with Trump earlier on Monday, is seated next to Melania, while Camilla is on the other side of the president and next to US ambassador Woody Johnson. 
William is between the Prime Minister Theresa May and Mr Johnson’s wife Suzanne Ircha. Kate is seated between US secretary of the treasury Steven Mnuchin and the Lord Mayor of London Peter Estlin. 
The President’s daughter and adviser Ivanka is seated between the Countess of Wessex and International Trade Secretary Liam Fox, while Ivanka’s husband Mr Kushner, a senior adviser to Trump, has the Princess Royal on his right and Mark Carney, governor of the Bank of England, on his left.

 Former US president Barack Obama’s state banquet in 2011 was sprinkled with Hollywood stardust, with a guest list including actor Tom Hanks, actress Helena Bonham Carter and director Tim Burton.

Kate was seen arriving (Picture: Rex Features) She was joined by Prince William (Picture: Rex Features) Prince Michael of Kent and Princess Michael of Kent (Picture: Rex Features) Marine 
One arrives at Buckingham Palace, London, ahead of the banquet (Picture: PA) 

But Trump’s grand occasion was more trade and business than showbusiness.


Among the captains of industry invited are Swedish businessman and chairman of AstraZeneca Leif Johansson, chairman of BP Helge Lund, Balfour Beatty chief executive Leo Quinn, 
GlaxoSmithKline boss Emma Walmsley, Universal Music Group chairman Sir Lucian Grainge and Royal Dutch Shell chief executive Ben van Beurden, as well as Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick.

Politicians at the event include Mrs May and her husband Philip, Cabinet Office minister and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster David Lidington, Chancellor Philip Hammond, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt, Mr Fox, Environment Secretary Michael Gove, Leader of the House of Lords Baroness Evans and Europe and Americas minister Sir Alan Duncan. 

Tiffany Trump was seated between HSBC chairman Mark Tucker and the Queen’s top aide, her private secretary Edward Young, while Lara Trump, Trump’s daughter-in-law, was between Lord Hague and Mr van Beurden.

Twenty three elaborate floral displays of dark pink peonies, lilac stocks and pale pink roses adorned the table, along with large seven-branch state candelabrum and the elaborate soup tureen which was once used to serve George IV his favourite turtle soup. 

The Queen earlier inspected the ballroom in person to make sure everything was perfect for her visitors. 

Tablecloths and napkins – folded in the shape of a Dutch bonnet – cruet sets and six glasses at each setting – for water, a champagne toast, red and white wines, a dessert wine and port – were all carefully in place – although teetotal Trump will not be sampling the wines on offer.

 A special red velvet cushion was ready on Charles’ chair to help ease his back pain. 
Every place setting was 18 inches apart – with measuring sticks used to ensure absolute precision. 

Preparations for the banquet began six months before the event and it has taken palace staff four days to lay the table.

 Nineteen stations have been set up around the table, each manned by four staff – a page, footman, under butler and a wine butler – who use a traffic light system to co-ordinate the serving of courses. 

The event operates with military precision. It takes staff one hour and 15 minutes to serve the banquet and about one hour and 30 minutes to clear away afterwards. See the full menu here. 

See the full menu here. https://metro.co.uk/2019/06/03/picky-eater-trump-will-not-be-served-steak-and-ketchup-at-queens-banquet-9794668/


Read more: https://metro.co.uk/2019/06/03/queen-welcomes-donald-melania-trump-lavish-state-banquet-9794722/?ito=cbshare
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MetroUK | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetroUK/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48491722
Donald Trump meets Queen at start of UK state visit
9 minutes ago
Share this with Facebook Share this with Messenger Share this with Twitter Share this with Email Share
Related TopicsTrump UK visit

Media captionTrump shakes the Queen's hand
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have met the Queen on the first day of their state visit to the UK.

The pair went to Buckingham Palace for a welcome ceremony and private lunch.

Mr and Mrs Trump laid a wreath at the tomb of the unknown warrior in Westminster Abbey and are due to attend a state banquet this evening.

Tweeting ahead of the banquet, Mr Trump said the "London part of the trip" was going "really well".

He added the "entire Royal Family" had been "fantastic" and the relationship with the US-UK was "very strong".

A "big trade deal is possible" once the UK removes the "shackles", the president said, adding: "Already starting to talk!"

Earlier in the day, Mr Trump criticised the Mayor of London, with whom he has clashed in the past.

He tweeted that Sadiq Khan - who had earlier said the UK should "not roll out the red carpet" for Mr Trump - was a "stone cold loser", but the president added he was looking forward to his visit.

Latest updates on President Trump's first day in UK
In pictures: Trump's state visit to the UK
Trump's UK visit: What's he bringing?
Skip Twitter post by @realDonaldTrump

Donald J. Trump

@realDonaldTrump
 London part of trip is going really well. The Queen and the entire Royal family have been fantastic. The relationship with the United Kingdom is very strong. Tremendous crowds of well wishers and people that love our Country. Haven’t seen any protests yet, but I’m sure the....

50.9K
6:41 PM - Jun 3, 2019
Twitter Ads info and privacy
18.6K people are talking about this
Report
End of Twitter post by @realDonaldTrump
Skip Twitter post 2 by @realDonaldTrump

Donald J. Trump

@realDonaldTrump
Replying to @realDonaldTrump
....Fake News will be working hard to find them. Great love all around. Also, big Trade Deal is possible once U.K. gets rid of the shackles. Already starting to talk!

45K
6:41 PM - Jun 3, 2019
Twitter Ads info and privacy
14.4K people are talking about this
Report
End of Twitter post 2 by @realDonaldTrump
Mr and Mrs Trump arrived on Air Force One earlier on Monday and were taken to the US ambassador's home in central London, where they are staying, before travelling to Buckingham Palace.

Protests are planned in several UK cities during the three-day visit, including in London, Manchester, Belfast, and Birmingham.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn - who is boycotting the state dinner - is due to attend and speak at the London demonstration, a party spokesman has confirmed.

Earlier, Mr Corbyn tweeted: "Tomorrow's protest against Donald Trump's state visit is an opportunity to stand in solidarity with those he's attacked in America, around the world and in our own country - including, just this morning, Sadiq Khan."


Media captionMr and Mrs Trump laid a wreath at the grave of the unknown warrior as part of their UK state visit
Talks between Mr Trump and outgoing Prime Minister Theresa May will begin on Tuesday, with the pair expected to discuss climate change and Chinese technology firm Huawei.

The president's visit coincides with the commemorations for the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings, which the Queen, Mr Trump and other heads of state will attend at Portsmouth on Wednesday.

Image copyrightREUTERS
Image caption
The Marine One helicopter landed in the grounds of Buckingham Palace
Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES
Image caption
Mr Trump was greeted from the helicopter by Prince Charles
Crowds were gathered outside Buckingham Palace as the president and first lady landed by helicopter shortly after midday.

The Queen presented Mr Trump with a first edition of Sir Winston Churchill's book The Second World War, from 1959, with gilt decorations and hand-sewn bindings in the colours of the US flag. He was also given a three-piece Duofold pen set decorated with an EIIR emblem, in a design made exclusively for the monarch.

Mrs Trump received a specially commissioned silver box with a handcrafted enamel lid, decorated in royal blue with roses, thistles and shamrocks to represent the ceiling of Buckingham Palace's music room.

After the private lunch, the Queen showed the couple American artefacts and other items from the Royal Collection. In a nod to the US leader's Scottish heritage, he was shown a bolt of Harris tweed.

Mr and Mrs Trump met the Duke of York at Westminster Abbey, where they laid a wreath at the grave of the unknown warrior. The president signed the distinguished visitor's book in his customary black marker pen, describing the 13th Century church as a "special place".

Their next stop was Clarence House, where they joined Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall for tea.

Image copyrightPA
Image caption
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall posed with their visitors in the morning room at Clarence House
Image copyrightPA
Image caption
The royals hosted a private lunch for Mr Trump before further engagements this afternoon
Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES
Image caption
Mr Trump's daughter - and White House adviser - Ivanka Trump looks out of the window at Buckingham Palace
Later, the Queen will host a state banquet at Buckingham Palace, also attended by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

The Duchess of Sussex will not attend following the birth of her son Archie, who is less than a month old. On Sunday, Mr Trump denied calling the duchess "nasty", despite him using the word on tape.

Five potential diplomatic flashpoints
Trump denies calling Meghan Markle 'nasty'
Trump visit divides crowds at the palace
As he stepped onto UK soil, Mr Trump was greeted by US Ambassador to the UK Woody Johnson and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

Tory leadership candidate Mr Hunt, who has spoken about the importance of the UK's relationship with the US, said Mr Trump mentioned to him "some of his very strong views about the Mayor of London" which he had also tweeted.

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES
Image caption
The American national anthem was played and Mr Trump was invited to inspect the guard of honour
Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES
Image caption
The US president made his mark in the distinguished visitors' book at Westminster Abbey
Image copyrightAFP
Image caption
The Queen showed US items of the Royal Collection to the president and first lady
Analysis
By James Landale, BBC diplomatic correspondent

The contrast could not have been starker. The President of the United States received a warm welcome from the Queen and the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace.

There were two 41-gun salutes - one for Mr Trump and another marking the 66th anniversary of the Queen's coronation on Sunday - as well as an honour guard of young Grenadiers resplendent in scarlet.

At the same time, Mr Trump launched a verbal attack on the mayor of the city in which he is now a guest, calling Sadiq Khan "a stone cold loser" for questioning why the President had been granted a state visit.

In truth, this is all of a piece for Mr Trump: he gets the pictures and the pageantry that he wants and will look good in his re-election campaign next year, and he gets to pick a fight with a liberal, Muslim politician that will play well with his base.

Already this row is forcing those campaigning to be Britain's prime minister to define themselves against Mr Trump.

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt criticised Mr Khan for his "great discourtesy". But Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the office of the Mayor of London should be respected in the same way one respects the office of the president.

This visit has only just begun and already the Great Disruptor is tweeting angry thoughts and breaching diplomatic niceties. Business as usual, you might think - only today he also happens to be a guest of the Queen, who rarely tweets and is always diplomatic.

Mr Trump's tweet accused Mr Khan of doing a "terrible job" as mayor, adding: "[He] has been foolishly "nasty" to the visiting president of the United States, by far the most important ally of the United Kingdom. He is a stone cold loser who should focus on crime in London, not me."

A spokesman for Mr Khan said "childish insults" should be beneath the US president, adding: "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."

Mr Khan was not the only target of the president's tweets. Mr Trump also criticised CNN, complaining that it was the primary source of news from the US on his trip - but that he had to turn off its "fake news" after a short while.

China, which is in an ongoing trade dispute with the US, also came under fire. Mr Trump claimed that companies are leaving China in order to avoid paying the tariffs and that the US is "taking billions".


Media captionThe moment Trump lands for UK state visit
Although Mr Trump has spoken of his admiration for Mrs May, there are expected to be differences of opinion during their talks, which begin on Tuesday.

The prime minister will raise the issue of climate change, with a government spokesman again saying on Monday the UK was "disappointed by the US decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement in 2017".

The two leaders are also expected to discuss Huawei. The US has blacklisted the Chinese firm for security reasons, while the UK may allow it to supply "non-core" components for its 5G network.

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES
Image caption
Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt was among those waiting to greet Mr Trump
Image copyrightEPA
Image caption
Airmen from the RAF Regiment formed a guard of honour for the couple
Before the visit, President Trump told the Sun newspaper he was backing Conservative Party leadership contender Boris Johnson to be the next UK prime minister.

He also told the Sunday Times that Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage - an arch critic of Mrs May - should be involved in the government's negotiations to leave the EU.

Donald Trump state visit: All you need to know
Police reimbursed £7.9m for Trump visit
At Monday evening's Buckingham Palace banquet, both the president and the Queen are expected to make a speech to guests, who will include prominent Americans living in Britain.

Mr Corbyn, House of Commons Speaker John Bercow, and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable are all boycotting the state banquet.

Fans and critics outside Buckingham Palace
By Hamish Mackay, BBC News

A quick walk around the crowd outside Buckingham Palace revealed the presence of supporters and detractors of Mr Trump - both equally strong in their views.

Phillip Butah, from Essex, wearing a MAGA hat and describing himself and his companion as "Trump activists", says: "We are so happy that he's here - this visit is long overdue."

Asked what they expect the UK to get from this visit, they reply: "Trade deals."

Corey Wright, a 25-year-old American from Ohio, in London as a tourist, sees the visit in a similar light.

"I think the visit is good for the political environment," he says. "I think that needs to be worked on and that's what he's here to do."

Auriel Granville - a climate activist from Wimbledon, south-west London - came dressed as the Statue of Liberty to protest against the president's visit.

"I don't think he should be received in this way - climate change should be top of our agenda and Donald Trump is a climate change denier," she said.

Read more about the crowds outside the palace

The Royal Family twitter account posted a picture of the preparations for the 170 guests at the state banquet in Buckingham Palace ballroom.

Skip Twitter post by @RoyalFamily
View image on Twitter
View image on Twitter

The Royal Family

@RoyalFamily
 A sneak peek of the State Banquet table in the Buckingham Palace Ballroom.

The final finishing touches will be added shortly before The Queen welcomes @POTUS, @FLOTUS, members of the Royal Family and around 170 guests to celebrate the #USStateVisit.

6,288
7:04 PM - Jun 3, 2019
2,295 people are talking about this
Twitter Ads info and privacy
Report
End of Twitter post by @RoyalFamily
The menu features steamed halibut with watercress mousse, saddle of lamb with herb stuffing and strawberry sable - a dessert made of biscuits, pastry cream and fresh strawberries.

Mr Trump's place is to the right of the Queen, who is at the head of the horseshoe-shaped table. Prince Charles sits to the left of the Queen, and next to First Lady Melania Trump.

On Tuesday morning, President Trump and Mrs May will host a business breakfast at St James's Palace.

President Trump will then visit Downing Street for further talks with Mrs May, followed by a joint press conference.

Image copyrightREUTERS
Image caption
President Donald Trump met Prime Minister Theresa May at Chequers last July
Protesters are organising a "national demonstration" which will start at Trafalgar Square at 11:00 on Tuesday.

The Met Police said it had "a very experienced command team" leading the operation to deal with the visit.

The police operation for the president's visit last year was estimated to have cost nearly £18m.


Media captionThe BBC's Jonny Dymond on what to expect from President Trump's visit to the UK
Although the Queen has met 12 of the 13 US presidents who have been in office during her reign, Mr Trump's state visit to the UK is only the third by a US leader.

George W Bush and Barack Obama are the only other US presidents to have been given a state visit.

State visits differ from official visits and are normally at the invitation of the Queen, who acts on advice from the government. The Queen usually receives one or two heads of state per year and has hosted 112 of these visits since becoming monarch in 1952.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48491722
Donald Trump meets Queen at start of UK state visit
9 minutes ago
Share this with Facebook Share this with Messenger Share this with Twitter Share this with Email Share
Related TopicsTrump UK visit

Media captionTrump shakes the Queen's hand
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have met the Queen on the first day of their state visit to the UK.

The pair went to Buckingham Palace for a welcome ceremony and private lunch.

Mr and Mrs Trump laid a wreath at the tomb of the unknown warrior in Westminster Abbey and are due to attend a state banquet this evening.

Tweeting ahead of the banquet, Mr Trump said the "London part of the trip" was going "really well".

He added the "entire Royal Family" had been "fantastic" and the relationship with the US-UK was "very strong".

A "big trade deal is possible" once the UK removes the "shackles", the president said, adding: "Already starting to talk!"

Earlier in the day, Mr Trump criticised the Mayor of London, with whom he has clashed in the past.

He tweeted that Sadiq Khan - who had earlier said the UK should "not roll out the red carpet" for Mr Trump - was a "stone cold loser", but the president added he was looking forward to his visit.

Latest updates on President Trump's first day in UK
In pictures: Trump's state visit to the UK
Trump's UK visit: What's he bringing?
Skip Twitter post by @realDonaldTrump

Donald J. Trump

@realDonaldTrump
 London part of trip is going really well. The Queen and the entire Royal family have been fantastic. The relationship with the United Kingdom is very strong. Tremendous crowds of well wishers and people that love our Country. Haven’t seen any protests yet, but I’m sure the....

50.9K
6:41 PM - Jun 3, 2019
Twitter Ads info and privacy
18.6K people are talking about this
Report
End of Twitter post by @realDonaldTrump
Skip Twitter post 2 by @realDonaldTrump

Donald J. Trump

@realDonaldTrump
Replying to @realDonaldTrump
....Fake News will be working hard to find them. Great love all around. Also, big Trade Deal is possible once U.K. gets rid of the shackles. Already starting to talk!

45K
6:41 PM - Jun 3, 2019
Twitter Ads info and privacy
14.4K people are talking about this
Report
End of Twitter post 2 by @realDonaldTrump
Mr and Mrs Trump arrived on Air Force One earlier on Monday and were taken to the US ambassador's home in central London, where they are staying, before travelling to Buckingham Palace.

Protests are planned in several UK cities during the three-day visit, including in London, Manchester, Belfast, and Birmingham.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn - who is boycotting the state dinner - is due to attend and speak at the London demonstration, a party spokesman has confirmed.

Earlier, Mr Corbyn tweeted: "Tomorrow's protest against Donald Trump's state visit is an opportunity to stand in solidarity with those he's attacked in America, around the world and in our own country - including, just this morning, Sadiq Khan."


Media captionMr and Mrs Trump laid a wreath at the grave of the unknown warrior as part of their UK state visit
Talks between Mr Trump and outgoing Prime Minister Theresa May will begin on Tuesday, with the pair expected to discuss climate change and Chinese technology firm Huawei.

The president's visit coincides with the commemorations for the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings, which the Queen, Mr Trump and other heads of state will attend at Portsmouth on Wednesday.

Image copyrightREUTERS
Image caption
The Marine One helicopter landed in the grounds of Buckingham Palace
Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES
Image caption
Mr Trump was greeted from the helicopter by Prince Charles
Crowds were gathered outside Buckingham Palace as the president and first lady landed by helicopter shortly after midday.

The Queen presented Mr Trump with a first edition of Sir Winston Churchill's book The Second World War, from 1959, with gilt decorations and hand-sewn bindings in the colours of the US flag. He was also given a three-piece Duofold pen set decorated with an EIIR emblem, in a design made exclusively for the monarch.

Mrs Trump received a specially commissioned silver box with a handcrafted enamel lid, decorated in royal blue with roses, thistles and shamrocks to represent the ceiling of Buckingham Palace's music room.

After the private lunch, the Queen showed the couple American artefacts and other items from the Royal Collection. In a nod to the US leader's Scottish heritage, he was shown a bolt of Harris tweed.

Mr and Mrs Trump met the Duke of York at Westminster Abbey, where they laid a wreath at the grave of the unknown warrior. The president signed the distinguished visitor's book in his customary black marker pen, describing the 13th Century church as a "special place".

Their next stop was Clarence House, where they joined Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall for tea.

Image copyrightPA
Image caption
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall posed with their visitors in the morning room at Clarence House
Image copyrightPA
Image caption
The royals hosted a private lunch for Mr Trump before further engagements this afternoon
Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES
Image caption
Mr Trump's daughter - and White House adviser - Ivanka Trump looks out of the window at Buckingham Palace
Later, the Queen will host a state banquet at Buckingham Palace, also attended by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

The Duchess of Sussex will not attend following the birth of her son Archie, who is less than a month old. On Sunday, Mr Trump denied calling the duchess "nasty", despite him using the word on tape.

Five potential diplomatic flashpoints
Trump denies calling Meghan Markle 'nasty'
Trump visit divides crowds at the palace
As he stepped onto UK soil, Mr Trump was greeted by US Ambassador to the UK Woody Johnson and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

Tory leadership candidate Mr Hunt, who has spoken about the importance of the UK's relationship with the US, said Mr Trump mentioned to him "some of his very strong views about the Mayor of London" which he had also tweeted.

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES
Image caption
The American national anthem was played and Mr Trump was invited to inspect the guard of honour
Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES
Image caption
The US president made his mark in the distinguished visitors' book at Westminster Abbey
Image copyrightAFP
Image caption
The Queen showed US items of the Royal Collection to the president and first lady
Analysis
By James Landale, BBC diplomatic correspondent

The contrast could not have been starker. The President of the United States received a warm welcome from the Queen and the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace.

There were two 41-gun salutes - one for Mr Trump and another marking the 66th anniversary of the Queen's coronation on Sunday - as well as an honour guard of young Grenadiers resplendent in scarlet.

At the same time, Mr Trump launched a verbal attack on the mayor of the city in which he is now a guest, calling Sadiq Khan "a stone cold loser" for questioning why the President had been granted a state visit.

In truth, this is all of a piece for Mr Trump: he gets the pictures and the pageantry that he wants and will look good in his re-election campaign next year, and he gets to pick a fight with a liberal, Muslim politician that will play well with his base.

Already this row is forcing those campaigning to be Britain's prime minister to define themselves against Mr Trump.

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt criticised Mr Khan for his "great discourtesy". But Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the office of the Mayor of London should be respected in the same way one respects the office of the president.

This visit has only just begun and already the Great Disruptor is tweeting angry thoughts and breaching diplomatic niceties. Business as usual, you might think - only today he also happens to be a guest of the Queen, who rarely tweets and is always diplomatic.

Mr Trump's tweet accused Mr Khan of doing a "terrible job" as mayor, adding: "[He] has been foolishly "nasty" to the visiting president of the United States, by far the most important ally of the United Kingdom. He is a stone cold loser who should focus on crime in London, not me."

A spokesman for Mr Khan said "childish insults" should be beneath the US president, adding: "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."

Mr Khan was not the only target of the president's tweets. Mr Trump also criticised CNN, complaining that it was the primary source of news from the US on his trip - but that he had to turn off its "fake news" after a short while.

China, which is in an ongoing trade dispute with the US, also came under fire. Mr Trump claimed that companies are leaving China in order to avoid paying the tariffs and that the US is "taking billions".


Media captionThe moment Trump lands for UK state visit
Although Mr Trump has spoken of his admiration for Mrs May, there are expected to be differences of opinion during their talks, which begin on Tuesday.

The prime minister will raise the issue of climate change, with a government spokesman again saying on Monday the UK was "disappointed by the US decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement in 2017".

The two leaders are also expected to discuss Huawei. The US has blacklisted the Chinese firm for security reasons, while the UK may allow it to supply "non-core" components for its 5G network.

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES
Image caption
Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt was among those waiting to greet Mr Trump
Image copyrightEPA
Image caption
Airmen from the RAF Regiment formed a guard of honour for the couple
Before the visit, President Trump told the Sun newspaper he was backing Conservative Party leadership contender Boris Johnson to be the next UK prime minister.

He also told the Sunday Times that Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage - an arch critic of Mrs May - should be involved in the government's negotiations to leave the EU.

Donald Trump state visit: All you need to know
Police reimbursed £7.9m for Trump visit
At Monday evening's Buckingham Palace banquet, both the president and the Queen are expected to make a speech to guests, who will include prominent Americans living in Britain.

Mr Corbyn, House of Commons Speaker John Bercow, and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable are all boycotting the state banquet.

Fans and critics outside Buckingham Palace
By Hamish Mackay, BBC News

A quick walk around the crowd outside Buckingham Palace revealed the presence of supporters and detractors of Mr Trump - both equally strong in their views.

Phillip Butah, from Essex, wearing a MAGA hat and describing himself and his companion as "Trump activists", says: "We are so happy that he's here - this visit is long overdue."

Asked what they expect the UK to get from this visit, they reply: "Trade deals."

Corey Wright, a 25-year-old American from Ohio, in London as a tourist, sees the visit in a similar light.

"I think the visit is good for the political environment," he says. "I think that needs to be worked on and that's what he's here to do."

Auriel Granville - a climate activist from Wimbledon, south-west London - came dressed as the Statue of Liberty to protest against the president's visit.

"I don't think he should be received in this way - climate change should be top of our agenda and Donald Trump is a climate change denier," she said.

Read more about the crowds outside the palace

The Royal Family twitter account posted a picture of the preparations for the 170 guests at the state banquet in Buckingham Palace ballroom.

Skip Twitter post by @RoyalFamily
View image on Twitter
View image on Twitter

The Royal Family

@RoyalFamily
 A sneak peek of the State Banquet table in the Buckingham Palace Ballroom.

The final finishing touches will be added shortly before The Queen welcomes @POTUS, @FLOTUS, members of the Royal Family and around 170 guests to celebrate the #USStateVisit.

6,288
7:04 PM - Jun 3, 2019
2,295 people are talking about this
Twitter Ads info and privacy
Report
End of Twitter post by @RoyalFamily
The menu features steamed halibut with watercress mousse, saddle of lamb with herb stuffing and strawberry sable - a dessert made of biscuits, pastry cream and fresh strawberries.

Mr Trump's place is to the right of the Queen, who is at the head of the horseshoe-shaped table. Prince Charles sits to the left of the Queen, and next to First Lady Melania Trump.

On Tuesday morning, President Trump and Mrs May will host a business breakfast at St James's Palace.

President Trump will then visit Downing Street for further talks with Mrs May, followed by a joint press conference.

Image copyrightREUTERS
Image caption
President Donald Trump met Prime Minister Theresa May at Chequers last July
Protesters are organising a "national demonstration" which will start at Trafalgar Square at 11:00 on Tuesday.

The Met Police said it had "a very experienced command team" leading the operation to deal with the visit.

The police operation for the president's visit last year was estimated to have cost nearly £18m.


Media captionThe BBC's Jonny Dymond on what to expect from President Trump's visit to the UK
Although the Queen has met 12 of the 13 US presidents who have been in office during her reign, Mr Trump's state visit to the UK is only the third by a US leader.

George W Bush and Barack Obama are the only other US presidents to have been given a state visit.

State visits differ from official visits and are normally at the invitation of the Queen, who acts on advice from the government. The Queen usually receives one or two heads of state per year and has hosted 112 of these visits since becoming monarch in 1952.

 





Queen welcomes Donald and Melania Trump to lavish state banquet 
Martine Berg OlsenMonday 3 Jun 2019 8:54 pm

The Queen is hosting the Trumps for a state banquet at Buckingham Palace (Picture: AP) The Trump dynasty is mingling with the Royal Family at the swanky state banquet organised by the Queen to honour the President. 

Donald and Melania are joined by four out of his five children at night where industry chiefs rather than stars have gathered for a lavish meal of lamb and strawberry sable. In the Buckingham Palace ballroom with its six glittering chandeliers, the vast white-clothed horse shoe-shaped table has been laden with George IV’s silver gilt Grand Service dinner set. 

Small white place cards embossed with a golden royal crest and edged in gold are at each setting, to show where the 170 guests are to be seated. As is tradition, the Queen, who does not have her own place card, is at the head of the table, with the Prince of Wales on her left and Trump on her right. 
The Queen said she was ‘delighted’ to welcome the Trumps to Buckingham Palace to ‘celebrate’ their alliance. Joining Trump and Melania at the white tie and tiara event are Ivanka Trump, with her husband Jared Kushner, Donald Trump Jr, Eric Trump and his wife Lara, and Tiffany Trump.

Kate was seen arriving (Picture: Rex Features) She was joined by Prince William (Picture: Rex Features) Sixteen members of the royal family are at the dinner – the Queen, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Duke of York, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Princess Royal, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and Princess Alexandra. 
The Duke of Sussex, who was at the private lunch earlier, will be noticeably absent, as will the Duchess of Sussex who is on maternity leave, looking after their four-week-old son Archie. 
Charles, who had tea with Trump earlier on Monday, is seated next to Melania, while Camilla is on the other side of the president and next to US ambassador Woody Johnson. 
William is between the Prime Minister Theresa May and Mr Johnson’s wife Suzanne Ircha. Kate is seated between US secretary of the treasury Steven Mnuchin and the Lord Mayor of London Peter Estlin. 
The President’s daughter and adviser Ivanka is seated between the Countess of Wessex and International Trade Secretary Liam Fox, while Ivanka’s husband Mr Kushner, a senior adviser to Trump, has the Princess Royal on his right and Mark Carney, governor of the Bank of England, on his left. 
Former US president Barack Obama’s state banquet in 2011 was sprinkled with Hollywood stardust, with a guest list including actor Tom Hanks, actress Helena Bonham Carter and director Tim Burton.

Marine One arrives at Buckingham Palace, London, ahead of the banquet (Picture: PA) 
But Trump’s grand occasion was more trade and business than showbusiness. 
Among the captains of industry invited are Swedish businessman and chairman of AstraZeneca Leif Johansson, chairman of BP Helge Lund, Balfour Beatty chief executive Leo Quinn, 
GlaxoSmithKline boss Emma Walmsley, Universal Music Group chairman Sir Lucian Grainge and Royal Dutch Shell chief executive Ben van Beurden, as well as Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick.
 Politicians at the event include Mrs May and her husband Philip , Cabinet Office minister and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster David Lidington, Chancellor Philip Hammond, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt, Mr Fox, Environment Secretary Michael Gove, Leader of the House of Lords Baroness Evans and Europe and Americas minister Sir Alan Duncan.

 Tiffany Trump was seated between HSBC chairman Mark Tucker and the Queen’s top aide, her private secretary Edward Young, while Lara Trump, Trump’s daughter-in-law, was between Lord Hague and Mr van Beurden. 

Twenty three elaborate floral displays of dark pink peonies, lilac stocks and pale pink roses adorned the table, along with large seven-branch state candelabrum and the elaborate soup tureen which was once used to serve George IV his favourite turtle soup.

 The Queen earlier inspected the ballroom in person to make sure everything was perfect for her visitors. Tablecloths and napkins – folded in the shape of a Dutch bonnet – cruet sets and six glasses at each setting – for water, a champagne toast, red and white wines, a dessert wine and port – were all carefully in place – although teetotal Trump will not be sampling the wines on offer. 

A special red velvet cushion was ready on Charles’ chair to help ease his back pain.

 Every place setting was 18 inches apart – with measuring sticks used to ensure absolute precision. 

Preparations for the banquet began six months before the event and it has taken palace staff four days to lay the table. Nineteen stations have been set up around the table, each manned by four staff – a page, footman, under butler and a wine butler – who use a traffic light system to co-ordinate the serving of courses.

The event operates with military precision. It takes staff one hour and 15 minutes to serve the banquet and about one hour and 30 minutes to clear away afterwards.

Read more: https://metro.co.uk/2019/06/03/queen-welcomes-donald-melania-trump-lavish-state-banquet-9794722/?ico=pushly-notifcation-small&utm_source=pushly?ito=cbshare

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MetroUK | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetroUK/