Trump UK visit: President has state banquet with Queen as Labour announces Corbyn will speak at protest
US leader an ‘egregious example of growing far-right threat’, says Sadiq Khan after Twitter spat
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Protesters have denounced Donald Trump as “frightening and dangerous” and claimed his state visit is “an invitation for his ideology to be imported” to the UK, during a dramatic first day of the US president's second state visit to the country.
During a state banquet at Buckingham Palace, Queen Elizabeth II greeted the president, and reminded those in attendance of the "close and longstanding friendship" between their two countries — and appeared to rebuke Mr Trump's so-called America-first ideology that has threatened once close alliances and shaken the international community.
"I am so glad that we have another opportunity to demonstrate the immense importance that both our countries attach to our relationship," the Queen said.
The itinerary for Mr Trump going forward includes meetings with business leaders, a tour of historic British buildings, and trips to Portsmouth and Normandy — with the latter coming on the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
The Queen, during her remarks, used that historic moment in the Second World War to reinforce the importance of the US-UK relationship.
"On that day — and on many occasions since — the armed forces of both our countries fought side-by-side to defend our cherished values of liberty and democracy," she said.
"As we face the new challenges of the 21st Century, the anniversary of D-Day reminds us of all that our counties have achieved together," she continued, addressing the kinds of international coooperation in the post war years that Mr Trump appears to have disregarded as president. "After the shared sacrifices of the Second World War, Britain and the United States worked with other allies to build an assembly of international institutions to ensure that the horrors of conflict would never be repeated."
But, nearby in London, protesters denounced the president who had lashed out at mayor Sadiq Khaan as his trip loomed.
“It’s one thing to tolerate it, it is something else to promote it,” 46-year-old Hada Moreno told The Independent outside Buckingham Palace of Mr Trump's ideological stance.
But the US president’s backers were also present, calling him “a hero”. One said: “After Brexit we will need him for trade as well as security.” It came after Mr Trump lashed out at London’s mayor on Twitter, branding him “terrible” and a “stone-cold loser”.
Mr Trump and his wife Melania dined with the Queen at Buckingham Palace. The pair were met by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, and will also take a tour of Westminster Abbey. Observers were curious as to how the Prince of Wales, a keen environmentalist, would get along with the fossil fuel-loving president.
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As is tradition at banquets, the Queen, who unlike others does not have a place card, is at the head of the table. The Prince of Wales is on her left and Mr Trump on her right.
Joining Mr Trump and the First Lady at the white-tie-and-tiara event are four of Mr Trump's five children - Ivanka, 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 but the Duke of Sussex is absent, as is the Duchess of Sussex, who is on maternity leave.
Mr Trump took time out from preparing for the royal banquet to tweet about foreign affairs, posting: "Russia has informed us that they have removed most of their people from Venezuela," and "As a sign of good faith, Mexico should immediately stop the flow of people and drugs through their country and to our Southern Border. They can do it if they want!"
The Queen's state banquet for the Trumps is being held in the opulent Buckingham Palace ballroom.
The menu consists of steamed fillet of halibut with watercress mousse, asparagus spears and chervil sauce, followed by saddle of new season Windsor lamb with herb stuffing, spring vegetables and port sauce.
The dessert is strawberry sable with lemon verbena cream - made of crisp biscuits, smooth pastry cream and fresh strawberries.
In her welcome speech, the Queen paid tribute to UK and US soldiers who fought at D-Day.
She said it was not just security but strong cultural links and heritage that unites the two countries.
"As we face the new challenges of the 21st Century, the anniversary of D-Day reminds us of all that our countries have achieved together," she said.
"After the shared sacrifices of the Second World War, Britain and the United States worked with other allies to build an assembly of international institutions, to ensure that the horrors of conflict would never be repeated.
"While the world has changed, we are forever mindful of the original purpose of these structures: nations working together to safeguard a hard-won peace."
She reminded Mr Trump they were the largest investors in each other's economies and said she raised a toast to the continued relationship and the health, prosperity and happiness of the people of the US.
Replying to the Queen's speech, Mr Trump referred to D-Day and the effort to "win back civilisation".
When Britain stood alone during the Blitz, he said, he recalled Buckingham Palace was bombed 16 times but British people showed "what it was to be British" by fighting on for victory.
People's courage ensured destiny would always remain in your own hands", he said, and referred to the Queen as "a great, great woman" who played her part as an engine mechanic.
"The bond between our nations was for ever sealed in that great crusade as we honour our shared victory and heritage," Mr Trump said.
"We affirm the common values that will unite us long into the futue - freedom, sovereignty, self-determination, the rule of law and reference to the rights given to us by almighty god."
He raised a toast to the eternal friendship of each country's people and the "vitality" of the nations and the Queen's "truly remarkable" reign.
In case you missed this news, the guest list at tonight's state banquet includes all of Mr Trump's adult children.
That includes Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr, who are running the company Mr Trump has said he has cut ties with as he leads the United States.
Ivanka Trump and Tiffany Trump are both there as well.
Beyond the family, the guest list includes Mr Trump's top aide Stephen Miller, Treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin, and Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy.
No word on why Mr Ruddy was invited.
A quick look at what we're seeing stateside from Mr Trump's visit to London:
Here's another look at the procession led by the Queen and Mr Trump into the banquet hall at Buckingham Palace this evening.
If you're looking for fashion notes from tonight's dinner in Buckingham Palace, we have you covered.
Melania Trump is wearing a Dior Haute Couture ivory silk crepe gown with silk tulle detail, according to a spokesperson for the East Wing of the White House.
And, it seems as though many of the other women were likewise wearing white: That includes the Queen, Camilla, and Ivanka.
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