President Trump's Windsor state visit prompts pomp and protest

Tight security surrounded President Donald Trump’s state visit in Windsor this week, as Thames Valley Police warned it was ‘prepared for protests’.

While media were permitted inside the castle grounds to witness the spectacular pomp and pageantry of the occasion, it was mostly held out of the immediate public eye.

The heightened measures were somewhat in contrast to French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit in July, whose carriage procession took place through crowded streets in Windsor.

The day before the state visit, protesters projected an image of President Trump and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein onto one of the Windsor Castle towers in Thames Street.

Quotes from Epstein also appeared on the tower, as well as an image of Prince Andrew with the disgraced financier.

Police officers arrested four men alleged to have helped orchestrate the stunt on suspicion of ‘malicious communications’ and causing ‘public nuisance’.

The arrested men were: a 60-year-old man from East Sussex, a 36-year-old man from London, a 37-year-old man from Kent and a 50-year-old man from London.

They have been released on bail as an investigation continues.

Chief superintendent Felicity Parker said at the time of the arrests: "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."

President Trump has come under scrutiny over his relationship with the disgraced financier Epstein. The President denies any wrongdoing.

Campaigners with Everyone Hates Elon, a group critical of the X and Tesla owner Elon Musk, unveiled a giant picture of Trump and Epstein near the castle in The Long Walk the day before.

The group also posted pictures of souvenir teacups featuring the image of Trump and Epstein, which it claimed had been snuck into the Windsor Castle gift shop.

Stop Trump Coalition protestors held a demonstration in Windsor the day before Trump’s state visit, as well as a demonstration in London on the day of his visit.

Some protesters were also out in the streets around Windsor on the day of the visit, wearing satirical clothing and holding placards critical of President Trump.

Supporters of the US President also turned out, with visitors wearing ‘Make America Great Again’ hats in the crowds. The slogan is famously associated with Mr Trump.

In addition to the protest action, police arrested two men for flying drones in restricted airspace around the castle the day before the state visit. Police later said the men were given cautions.