The President of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump, has landed in the UK at the start of his three day State Visit. President Trump, accompanied by the First Lady Melania Trump, arrived in Air Force One.
The plane touched down at Stansted Airport just before 9 am on Monday, June 3rd 2019 with the President and First Lady disembarking shortly afterwards. The Queen’s Colour Squadron formed a Guard of Honour for the couple as they left Air Force One. They were greeted by the US Ambassador to the UK, Woody Johnson and the UK Foreign Secretary, Jeremy Hunt. The Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Jennifer Tolhurst, offered a welcome on behalf of the Queen.
President and Mrs Trump then made their way to London by helicopter. The couple had departed Andrews Air Base in Maryland on June 2nd to make their way to the UK at the start of what will be a week of activity in Europe.
The official start of the three day trip takes place at Buckingham Palace later this morning. There, President and Mrs Trump will be given a formal welcome to the UK by the Queen who will be accompanied by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. President Trump and Prince Charles will review a Guard of Honour within the grounds of the palace. Usually, the official welcome takes place at Horse Guards Parade before a carriage procession down the Mall but security concerns have led to the change for the Trump visit.
The first day of the State Visit will also see the Trumps entertained to lunch at Buckingham Palace by the Queen with the Duke of Sussex also on the guest list for this part of the day. Afterwards, the royal party and their guests will tour a special private exhibition of items from the Royal Collection with links to the United States. They will then visit Westminster Abbey with the Duke of York where President Trump will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will welcome President and Mrs Trump to Clarence House later in the day for tea, just ahead of the State Banquet which will take place at Buckingham Palace with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also expected to attend.
The State Visit, which has attracted controversy since it was first mooted back in 2017, will last for three days with events in London and in Portsmouth.
