Royal Banquet Buzz: Trump, Royals Toast 'Remarkable Bond' at Windsor
SHOCKING SIGHTS AND SCENES AS TRUMP ARRIVES IN LONDON
In a lavish display of pomp and circumstance, King Charles III welcomed Donald Trump and his entourage to Windsor Castle last night for the 45th President's second state visit to the UK. The two leaders toasted their countries' "remarkable bond" in a warm and witty speech that highlighted the unparalleled partnership between Britain and America.
As the sun set over the castle, Trump beamed in a photo released ahead of dinner, standing alongside his wife Melania, King Charles, and Queen Camilla. But behind the smiles and handshakes, tensions were palpable as anti-Trump protests erupted outside Windsor Castle and Parliament Square.
The royal family rolled out the red carpet for the Trumps, with Prince William and Kate Middleton joining King Charles and Camilla in welcoming the American leader. But it was clear that not everyone was happy to see him. Jeremy Corbyn, former Labour Party leader, spoke at a rally against Trump's visit, praising those who projected an image of Trump and convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein onto Windsor Castle.
"I want to say well done to all the people involved in this protest," Corbyn said. "It's a peaceful expression of opinion, and it's being treated as terrorism. This is what's happening to our democratic rights and values."
Meanwhile, King Charles took center stage at the state banquet, delivering a hilarious and heartfelt speech that left the audience in stitches. He poked fun at his own family's history with the Nixons, who had tried to arrange a marriage between him and Tricia Nixon back in the 1970s.
"Had the media succeeded in deepening the special relationship," Charles joked, "I might have been married off within the Nixon family!" The audience erupted into laughter as he continued: "Today, we celebrate a relationship that neither Washington nor King George III could have possibly imagined. We may be separated by an ocean, but in so many other ways, we are now the closest of kin."
The banquet itself was a feast for the eyes and taste buds, with 160 guests seated at a stunning 42-meter-long table adorned with 139 candles and 1,452 pieces of hand-polished cutlery. The menu featured Hampshire watercress panna cotta, organic Norfolk chicken ballotine, and vanilla ice bombe with a Kentish raspberry sorbet interior – a far cry from the White House press corps' expectations of a more... shall we say, "Americanized" meal.
But it was not all smooth sailing. The ceremonial Beating Retreat musical display, which featured a group of 200 military musicians performing on the East Lawn of Windsor Castle, ended with a spectacular flypast by the Red Arrows – but not, as planned, a joint UK-US flypast featuring F-35 jets from both countries.
The four F-35 Lightning jets, flown by British and American pilots, were meant to demonstrate the close ties between the UK and US Armed Forces. But cloudy weather scuppered plans for the historic display, leaving onlookers disappointed but still treated to a dazzling display of aerial acrobatics.
As Trump wrapped up his visit with a wreath-laying ceremony at Queen Elizabeth II's tomb, protesters continued to gather outside Windsor Castle, holding signs and banners condemning his presidency. The atmosphere was tense but controlled, with Thames Valley Police keeping a close eye on proceedings.
TheScholarlyNote.com understands that four people were arrested in connection with the stunt at Windsor Castle, although no arrests were made and no vehicles seized after police spoke to the driver of an ad van displaying a picture of Trump and Epstein.
In a bizarre twist, the US President himself took to social media earlier today to praise his hosts, saying being in Britain "warms my heart". But it's clear that not everyone shares his enthusiasm – and as the Trumps prepare to depart for their next destination, it remains to be seen what other surprises this state visit has in store.
