Donald Trump said being in Britain ‘warms my heart’ as he spoke of his excitement to see his ‘long-time friend’ King Charles III today.
The US President, 79, said ‘everybody respects’ the 76-year-old monarch and declared ‘they love him’ as he touched down last night to begin his historic second state visit.
He made the glowing comments about Charles after landing on the lawn of the US Ambassador’s residence in Regent’s Park on Marine One.
And Trump praised the ‘outstanding’ job his US Ambassador to the UK Warren Stevens had done as he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with him outside Winfield House where he will spend the night.
The Maga leader had earlier arrived at Stansted Airport on Air Force One and held his 55-year-old wife First Lady Melania’s hand as he walked down the aircraft steps.
Melania sported a trench coat from British designer Burberry and black riding boots as she and her husband were greeted by the Viscount Hood, Lord-in-Waiting, on behalf of King Charles.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, who opposed his first state visit, shook Trump’s hand for about five seconds.
The President’s allies have vowed he would ‘go easy’ on struggling Sir Keir Starmer during his visit following a series of domestic hits to the Prime Minister’s leadership.
Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are greeted by The Viscount Hood at Stansted Airport on Tuesday night
Donald Trump walks hand-in-hand with First Lady Melania as they descend the aircraft steps after landing at Stansted Airport
The US President, 79, landed at Stansted Airport on Air Force One just after 9pm on Tuesday
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One on his way to his state visit
On board Air Force One, Trump gushed about the expected pageantry awaiting him.
‘Enjoy yourselves. You’re going to have some great pictures today,’ he told reporters. ‘It’s going to be a beautiful event. Everyone’s looking forward to it. And we’ll just relax and have a good time.’
On Tuesday night, four people were arrested after images of Jeffrey Epstein, Prince Andrew and Donald Trump were projected onto Windsor Castle.
Trump earlier boasted about heading to the UK and spoke of his excitement to see the 76-year-old monarch, whom he described as ‘an elegant gentleman‘.
After arriving at Winfield House, Trump stood with Mr Stevens and praised the ‘outstanding’ job he is doing.
‘We had a good flight, a lot of people came with us. Tomorrow’s going to be a very big day, Mr Ambassador,’ he said.
‘I love Turnberry. I love Aberdeen, I have a lot of things here that – they warm my heart, I wanna tell you.
‘It’s a very special place, great place.’
Asked if he had a message for King Charles, he added: ‘We’re going to see him tomorrow and he’s been a friend of mine for a long time, and everybody respects him, and they love him.’
Trump earlier spoke about his relationship with Charles ahead of boarding Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
‘My relationship is very good with the UK, and Charles, as you know, who’s now King, is my friend,’ he said.
‘It’s the first time this has ever happened where somebody was honoured twice. So, it’s a great honour.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper shook Trump’s hand for about five seconds
Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump disembark from Air Force One where the The King’s Colour Squadron from Royal Air Force lined up on the tarmac
Trump salutes as he is greeted at Stansted Airport for his second state visit
Trump will be flown by his Marine One helicopter (pictured on Tuesday at Stansted Airport) to the US ambassador’s residence Winfield House in Regent’s Park, London
Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are greeted by Viscount Henry Hood
The Trumps exit Air Force One after arriving at Stansted Airport. Melania was wearing a trench coat from British designer Burberry
Trump walks onto Marine One where he will now be flown to the US ambassador’s residence in Regent’s Park, London
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper greets the US President on the tarmac at Stansted Airport
Trump and Melania arrive at Stansted Airport before being whisked away on Marine One
The Trumps are on their second state visit to the UK with previous one taking place in 2019
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper earlier greeted US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his wife Jeanette Dousdebes
Trump is seen chatting to members of the press during his flight to Britain
Protestors are gathering outside Windsor Castle on Tuesday ahead of Trump’s second state visit
Protestors hold placards reading ‘go away, you’re polluting Windsor’, and ‘fascists not welcome’
Trump supporters wave an American flag, while another holds a RIP Charlie Kirk sign
Some Maga faithful were also seen outside the castle grounds waving an American flag
Donald Trump (pictured with wife Melania) hailed King Charles an ‘elegant gentleman’ ahead of the US President’s second state visit to Britain
The Union and American flags are seen flying outside Windsor Castle ahead of the visit
‘And this one’s at Windsor. They’ve never used Windsor Castle for this before. They use Buckingham Palace.
‘And I don’t want to say one’s better than the other, but they say Windsor Castle is the ultimate, right? So it’s going to be nice.’
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte also stayed at Windsor Castle during their three-day state visit in July.
Tiffany Trump, the president’s daughter with Marla Maples, and her husband Michael Boulos joined the president and first lady on Air Force One.
Trump said earlier today ahead of the trip: ‘Primarily it’s to be with Prince Charles and Camilla. They’re friends of mine for a long time, long before he was King, and it’s an honour to have this King.
‘And, you know, I think he represents the country so well. He’s such an elegant gentleman and he represents the country so well.’
Trump will enjoy a royal flypast, a carriage ride with Princess Kate and a grand state banquet among other meetings during his stay.
On Tuesday, protestors gathered outside Windsor Castle and held placards reading ‘go away, you’re polluting Windsor’, and ‘fascists not welcome’.
One group could be heard chanting: ‘Say it loud, say it clear, Donald Trump’s not welcome here.’
Some Maga faithful were also seen outside the castle grounds waving an American flag, while another held a RIP Charlie Kirk sign.
Meanwhile, two men have been arrested by police on suspicion of flying a drone over Windsor.
A 37-year-old suspect from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, is in custody after allegedly breaching temporary air restrictions brought in from today as part of the massive police safety operation required for the US President’s short stay in the UK.
Thames Valley Police said the man was flying a drone in the village of Datchet, not far from Windsor Castle.
It comes hours after another 37-year-old man, from Brentford in west London, was arrested on suspicion of flying a drone over Windsor Great Park.
Trump described the second state visit to the UK as a ‘great honour’ and said that he is looking forward to talking to his ‘friend’, the King.
Labour had feared Trump could use the visit to lambast the PM over freedom of speech in the UK, amid claims from conservatives that the Online Safety Bill impinges on the rights of Americans.
But sources today said the president could go easy on Sir Keir due to the significant domestic pressure he is under.
Trump pictured here in December 2019 with the then Prince Charles at Clarence House in London
Mr Trump’s first UK state visit took place June 2019, where he met the late Queen Elizabeth II and stayed in Winfield House
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will meet King Charles and Queen Camilla during their state visit this week (they are all pictured here in 2019)
One said: ‘This trip will be about the splendour of Windsor Castle, inspecting the troops, the big banquet. This is a big deal for him. And the plan is to keep it about that.’
Yet despite a series of political scandals, with Lord Mandelson being dismissed as US ambassador and ex-Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner resigning over underpaid stamp duty, Trump praised the PM saying he represents the UK ‘so well’.
The American leader is being feted with a stay in Windsor Castle where he will be hosted by the King and treated to a ceremonial welcome on Wednesday and a lavish state banquet.
Security will be paramount, with Mr Trump confined to the private Windsor estate on the first full day, before heading to the Prime Minister’s country residence Chequers on Thursday.
