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Donald Trump has begun his second state visit to the UK alongside Melania Trump. From royal welcomes and Red Arrows flypasts to protests in London and his landing at Stansted — this is everything happening in and around the visit.
Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have landed in the United Kingdom for his second official state visit. They arrived at **London Stansted Airport**, where they were welcomed amid tight security. On arrival, the Trumps were taken to Winfield House, the U.S. Ambassador’s residence in London, before the state ceremonial events kick off. This visit marks a rare second full state visit — only a few U.S. presidents have been granted this honor under a second presidency.
Along with Donald Trump, Melania is playing a high profile role in the state visit. She has been part of royal greetings, formal receptions, and ceremonial duties. She is also meeting senior royals, attending functions and standing alongside Queen Camilla and Princess Kate. Her fashion choices are being observed closely, with nods to British designers and royal etiquette, as part of the broader diplomatic display.
One of the signature moments of the day is the flypast by the RAF’s **Red Arrows**, which will soar over Windsor during the main welcome events. This is paired with a military band ceremony, guard of honour formations, car-riage processions, and other elements of pageantry. The United Kingdom is rolling out one of its most elaborate ceremonial welcomes ever, involving thousands of military personnel. Part of that display includes joint flypasts with U.S. jets and signals of transatlantic diplomacy.
King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Princess Kate have met Trump and Melania at Windsor Castle in formal settings. Trump will be given a royal welcome including a guard of honour, ceremonial procession, and a state banquet tonight. The President will also lay a wreath at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II inside St. George’s Chapel. It’s all part of the official diplomatic rituals that come with a state visit of this magnitude.
After landing at Stansted, Trump and Melania were transported to official residences. Marine One (the presidential helicopter) is in use for parts of the visit, including transport between locations such as Windsor and London residences. Security zones have been established around these locations, including temporary flight restrictions and road closures. The Trumps are expected to stay at **Windsor Castle** during at least part of this visit, particularly for the banquet and royal engagements.
Air Force One touched down at Stansted Airport for the beginning of the visit. Spotters observed the flight path as it crossed over areas such as North Wales, the Lichfield corridor, towards Stansted. Marine One and other aircraft also operate under tight airspace control, especially near Windsor and London. Authorities have imposed flight restrictions and monitored air traffic for potential security threats like drones.
Large numbers of protesters have gathered in London and Windsor, chanting slogans and carrying banners. The Stop Trump UK coalition and other groups are organizing marches, particularly in London, to voice opposition to Trump’s political positions, nationalist rhetoric, and past controversies. One incident involved projecting images of Trump and Jeffrey Epstein onto Windsor Castle, which led to several arrests for suspicious communications. Security has been extremely heightened: thousands of police officers are deployed, roads are closed, airspace near Windsor has been restricted, and drone activity is under scrutiny.
Windsor Castle is under high threat level. Security forces are using armed patrols, drone surveillance, snipers, and heavy logistical preparations. Security zones surround key venues — including Chequers (the Prime Minister’s country residence), Windsor, and the route through London for carriage processions. A joint flypast and guard of honour necessitate tight air and road control.
Besides ceremonial appearances and royal protocols, Trump is meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss trade, investment, and bilateral economic promises. Several major U.S. tech companies are expected to announce UK investments, including in AI and infrastructure. Discussions will take place at Chequers on the second day of the visit. Trump and Melania will also take part in cultural events, wreath-laying, chapel visits, and performances that highlight UK-US historical ties.
This is a question that often comes up. Donald Trump is listed in public records and biographies at **6 feet 3 inches** (190 cm) tall. Melania Trump is reported to be around **5 feet 11 inches** (180 cm), though height reports can vary slightly depending on sources.
The state visit is being covered live by major UK media outlets including **Sky News**, BBC, ITV, and others. Sky News Live is broadcasting the arrival, the flypast, the royal welcome, protests, and state banquet. Expect extensive live updates, aerial footage of the Red Arrows display, statements from protestors, and commentary on diplomatic implications. Sky News is also focusing on the visuals—carriage, guard of honour, fireworks of tradition—as well as the political overtones of public dissent. The protest trail is getting airtime too, especially around projections, arrests, and crowd size estimates.
The Red Arrows display is scheduled to fly over Windsor Castle as part of the ceremonial welcome. However, weather may be a factor. UK weather forecasts indicate possible cloud cover or wind, which could impact timing or visibility of aerial displays. Portions of flypast involving fighter jets (the joint US-UK jets) might be scaled back depending on weather. Lake at Windsor estate can see fog or low clouds during early morning or late afternoon, so air traffic and formation flight crews must account for visibility limits.
Opinion polls show divided public sentiment. Many Britons approve of the ceremonial tradition of a state visit and believe in the importance of UK-US relations. Others are critical, citing concerns about Trump’s previous policies, rhetoric, and what welcoming him means for Britain’s political image. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has been vocal in criticizing certain elements of Trump’s record. Protests outside Windsor, London streets, and symbolic acts (such as the projections onto Windsor Castle) reflect the dissent. At the same time, supporters show up in Windsor and near state functions, some waving US and British flags.
This visit is unusual for several reasons: it’s a second state visit under a second presidency, making it rare historically. The scale of ceremonial honours — guard of honour, joint military flypast, Red Arrows, grand banquet — is large. It signals strong diplomatic interest from the UK government (led by Starmer) in strengthening trade ties, especially in technology, AI, and investments. The tensions and protests also underline that a state visit now carries both pageantry and controversy. How the UK balances welcoming ceremony with public dissent will be closely watched.
Key moments to look for in the coming hours: First, the state banquet tonight – speeches by Donald Trump and King Charles are expected. Second, tomorrow’s bilateral meeting at Chequers with the Prime Minister. Third, additional public engagements by Melania with royals and charity groups. Fourth, whether the Red Arrows flypast goes ahead in full or is partially scaled back due to weather. Also, protest movements in London may escalate or shift routes, and authorities will likely respond with more visible security. Sky News and other media will cover all of these live.
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