LONDON – The Prince and Princess of Wales welcomed Donald and Melania Trump to Windsor yesterday as the US President’s historic second State visit gets underway.
Prince William and Kate greeted the Trumps in the Walled Garden on the Windsor estate when the president’s Marine One helicopter arrived just after midday.
In one of a number of flourishes being added to the American leader’s trip, the helicopter landed on the lawn of the garden nestled in the private Home Park.
William and Kate welcomed the Trumps and walked a short distance with them to meet King Charles III and Queen Camilla outside Victoria House to launch the trip.
The Queen spent on Tuesday afternoon resting at Windsor Castle, having pulled out of attending the Duchess of Kent’s funeral at Westminster Cathedral after suffering from acute sinusitis – but royal aides said she had recovered to greet the Trumps yesterday. The timings were slightly behind schedule with Mr Trump arriving after at the planned time of 11:55am. The King arrived with the Queen in the State Bentley at 12:02pm.
Camilla was photographed wearing a vibrant sapphire blue dress, a matching coat by Fiona Clare and hat by Philip Treacy and a sapphire and diamond brooch. Kate was seen in an Emilia Wickstead dress, a hat by Jane Taylor and a feather brooch.
A decision was made to use the little-known Victoria House in the Royal Kitchen Gardens at Frogmore as the backdrop to the start of the major royal charm offensive.
This offers a personal, family-centred greeting especially for Mr Trump – but also embraces pomp and pageantry and the military theatrics he is known to adore.
There are no public-facing engagements for the president during his trip, with thousands expected to take part in major protests against his two-day stay.
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