President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump got the royal treatment as they began their historic second state visit to Britain on Sept. 17, complete with a carriage procession in ornate black and gold coaches with bright red painted wheels on the grounds of the Windsor Castle.
A visually stunning parade of British Royal Guards in large bearskin hats and red uniforms were part of the military ceremonial welcome, which was the largest “for a state visit to the UK in living memory,” according to the UK’s Ministry of Defence. With this welcome, full of pomp and pageantry, Trump became the first political leader to be hosted for two state visits by the U.K.
Around 120 horses and 1,300 members of the British military were involved in the ceremonial welcome, with 160 personnel from the Royal Marines and Royal Navy, 1,000 from the British Army and 140 from the Royal Air Force.
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The U.K. Armed Forces also made a significant contribution to the state welcome, for “an ally that has long been the U.K.’s principal defence and security partner.” The president’s visit comes at a time when NATO countries are urging the U.S. to back Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia’s three-year war.
