Queen welcomes President Trump to palace
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have met the Queen on the first day of their state visit to the UK.
The pair went to Buckingham Palace for a private lunch and welcome ceremony.
Mr and Mrs Trump laid a wreath at the tomb of the unknown warrior in Westminster Abbey and are due to attend a state banquet this evening.
Minutes before arriving in the UK, Mr Trump criticised the Mayor of London, with whom he has clashed in the past.
He tweeted that Sadiq Khan – who had earlier said the UK should “not roll out the red carpet” for Mr Trump – was a “stone cold loser”, but the president added he was looking forward to his visit.
Mr and Mrs Trump arrived on Air Force One earlier on Monday and were taken to the US ambassador’s home in central London, where they are staying, before travelling to Buckingham Palace.
Protests are planned in several UK cities during the three-day visit, including London, Manchester, Belfast, and Birmingham.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn – who is boycotting the state dinner – is due to attend and speak at one of the demonstrations, a party spokesman has confirmed.
Earlier, Mr Corbyn tweeted: “Tomorrow’s protest against Donald Trump’s state visit is an opportunity to stand in solidarity with those he’s attacked in America, around the world and in our own country – including, just this morning, Sadiq Khan.”
Talks between Mr Trump and outgoing Prime Minister Theresa May will begin on Tuesday, with the pair expected to discuss climate change and Chinese technology firm Huawei.
The president’s visit coincides with the commemorations for the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings, which the Queen, Mr Trump and other heads of state will attend at Portsmouth on Wednesday.
Crowds were gathered outside Buckingham Palace as the president and first lady landed by helicopter shortly after midday.
The Queen presented Mr Trump with a first edition of Sir Winston Churchill’s book The Second World War, from 1959, with gilt decorations and hand-sewn bindings in the colours of the US flag. He was also given a three-piece Duo fold pen set decorated with an EIIR emblem, in a design made exclusively for the monarch. –BBC
