Four people have been arrested after images of Jeffrey Epstein, Prince Andrew and Donald Trump were projected on to Windsor Castle as the President begins his state visit today.
Thousands are set to descend on London to protest US President’s visit, with other demonstrations gearing up around the UK in opposition to his two-day stay.
About 1,600 police officers will be in the capital, around Westminster, amid a march involving 50 groups has been organised by the Stop Trump Coalition.
Yesterday evening, a video of several photos and clips of the disgraced financier and 79-year-old Mr Trump together over the years were displayed onto the brick walls.
The series of images was accompanied by a timeline, showing several pictures of the two as well as a note written by the President to Epstein in a copy of his book ‘Trump the Art of The Comeback’ which read: ‘To Jeff, you are the greatest.’
Images of Prince Andrew alongside Epstein, who was on trial for sex trafficking charges, were also shone on the screen for passers by in the Berkshire town to see.
Mr Trump landed for his second state visit to the UK last night, where he spoke of how being in Britain ‘warm[ed]’ his heart.
More protests are expected throughout his whirlwind trip. Thames Valley Police have since confirmed four adults were arrested on suspicion of malicious communication after what they called a ‘public stunt’.
Mr Trump is staying at Windsor Castle as Buckingham Palace is currently undergoing a £369million refurbishment, which isn’t due for completion until 2027.
But the visit threatens to be overshadowed by a crisis engulfing Keir Starmer’s government.
Peter Mandelson was last week sacked as US ambassador after a series of devastating emails suggested the Labour grandee appeared to have plotted with his paedophile ‘best pal’ Epstein to save him from looming charges of molesting teenagers.
Starmer had appointed Mandelson as US ambassador without waiting for him to be vetted by the security services, MPs were told yesterday.
The President’s allies vowed he would ‘go easy’ on struggling Sir Keir during his visit following the domestic hits to the Prime Minister’s leadership.
Four adults have been arrested on suspicion of malicious communications after images of Jeffrey Epstein, Prince Andrew and Donald Trump were projected on to Windsor Castle
Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are greeted by The Viscount Hood at Stansted Airport on Tuesday night
Chief Superintendent Felicity Parker said: ‘We take any unauthorised activity around Windsor Castle extremely seriously.
‘Our officers responded swiftly to stop the projection and four people have been arrested.
‘We are conducting a thorough investigation with our partners into the circumstances surrounding this incident and will provide further updates when we are in a position to do so.’
More protests are expected today with thousands set to descend on central London, with other demonstrations gearing up around the UK in opposition to the US President’s two-day stay.
About 1,600 police officers will be in the capital, around Westminster, amid a march involving 50 groups organised by the Stop Trump Coalition.
Road closures will allow protesters to march on Parliament Square from around 2pm.
Last night protesters at Windsor were chanting ‘Dump Trump’ even before the US president had landed.
‘I am beyond disappointed,’ Michelle, 32, a marketing executive who declined to give her surname, said of Britain rolling out the red carpet.
‘Donald Trump as a person is… fuelling a lot of the far-right protests that we’re already having here.
‘It’s a humongous problem,’ she said, days after an estimated 150,000 attended a London rally organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
The president and First Lady will arrive at Windsor Castle this morning on board the Marine One helicopter, to be met by the Prince and Princess of Wales, who will accompany them to meet the King and Queen.
A Royal Salute will be fired from the castle’s East Lawn and at the Tower of London.
Then they will join the royals in a carriage procession through the Windsor estate, with a Sovereign’s Escort provided by the Household Cavalry, before the President and the King inspect the Guard of Honour at the castle.
When the president anded at Stansted Airport on Air Force One last night, he 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.
After landing on British soil, the US President also made several glowing remarks about the King.
He also 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.
And while onboard Air Force One, Trump gushed about the expected pageantry awaiting him.
Earlier on Tuesday evening, a video of several images which included images and videos of the disgraced financier and the US President, 79, together over the years
‘To Jeff – You are the greatest!’ reads an inscription in a copy of Trump’s book Trump: the Art of the Comeback, which belonged to Epstein
Images of Prince Andrew and the disgraced financier were also broadcast along the wall of Windsor Castle
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One on his way to his state visit
‘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.’
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.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper greets the US President on the tarmac at Stansted Airport
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’
Mr Trump’s first UK state visit took place June 2019, where he met the late Queen Elizabeth II and stayed in Winfield House
Trump pictured here in December 2019 with the then Prince Charles at Clarence House in London
‘It’s the first time this has ever happened where somebody was honoured twice. So, it’s a great honour.
‘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.’
Trump is staying at Windsor Castle as Buckingham Palace is currently undergoing a £369million refurbishment, which isn’t due for completion until 2027.
The President’s allies 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.
One source 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’.