Topics: Donald Trump, King Charles III, US News, UK News, Melania Trump, Politics, Royal Family
Donald Trump has landed at Windsor Castle, making history as the first political leader to be invited by the British monarchy for two state visits.
Apparently, however, one aspect of their arrival has set tongues wagging for a fashion-related reason.
The US president was greeted at the royal residence by the Prince and Princess of Wales (Prince William and Kate Middleton) just moments ago, alongside his wife, Melania Trump.
The couple landed in their Marine One helicopter after circling the perimeter for several minutes, after first arriving on UK soil in Air Force One on Tuesday morning (16 September). There, the Trumps were first met by Warren Stephens, the US ambassador to the UK.
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Joined by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, William and Kate went on to accompany the couple from the site's gardens to the palace in a carriage procession through the Windsor estate. According to PA, the route is lined with members of the British military.
By the sounds of social media reaction, however, many onlookers have been blown away by one aspect of the couple's get-up - Melania's almighty hat.
Opting for a charcoal grey two-piece suit, the mother-of-one paired the look with a wide-brimmed hat.
"Melania has deployed the big hat," one jibed on Twitter in response.
Another joked: "I’m sure that I saw Melania’s hat on sale yesterday in the John Lewis lighting department."
"Melania's wearing one of those hats!" a third noted.
A fourth went on to tease, "Who chooses Melania’s clothes? She looks like gestapo again", seemingly referencing the black and white number she rocked for her husband's inauguration in January.
At the castle, Trump, 79, and Melania, 55, will be welcomed into the castle by the King and Queen, who were previously photographed standing at the palace's windows in preparation.
Camilla's attendance was initially called into question after palace representatives confirmed yesterday that the 78-year-old had been struck down with acute sinusitis. Thankfully, however, it has since been confirmed that she'll be there to welcome Trump.
The Republican leader previously visited the UK in 2019, where he was hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
During the course of their stay this week, the Trumps will be invited by the British monarch to inspect the guard of honour. Charles and Camilla will then hold a state lunch, before taking the president to view a number of US-related items from the Royal Collection.
Sky News adds that a royal salute is planned to be fired in Trump's honour around midday, from six First World War-era guns which are currently located on the east lawn of Windsor Castle, as well as the Tower of London.
Later in the day, Trump will lay a wreath upon the tomb of the late Queen.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will join the group in the evening for a musical performance by the chapel choir.
They'll then attend a Beating Retreat ceremony on the lawn, which will include a military flypast, before retreating for another state banquet.
It is expected that heavy conversations will be had between the group in the coming hours.
Lord Kim Darroch - who previously served as the UK's ambassador to the States - told Sky News of these talks, a lot of which will likely centre on economic and world politics: "Security is tightly bound with America. So, this is a real opportunity to submit to those links to make the best of it."
Darroch continued: "First of all, [there are] difficult discussions potentially on Ukraine, because the American proposal seems to be: if we Europeans want America to put more pressure on Putin, we need to be prepared to levy heavy tariffs on China and India over their oil purchases from Russia.
"We all want to put pressure on Putin, but that proposal is very, very tricky."
