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November 27, 2024

Donald Trump visit: Queen welcomes US President to Britain – latest news –

Donald Trump visit: Queen welcomes US President to Britain – latest news –

Donald Trump visit: Queen welcomes US President to Britain - latest newsDonald Trump arrives at Clarence House for tea with Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall US President meets Queen at Buckingham Palace and tours Westminster Abbey May-Trump private meeting called off  Labour facing hypocrisy claims as MPs lead protest Tories hint at Huawei climbdown ahead of Trump visit The Queen has welcomed US President Donald Trump to Britain as they shook hands warmly at Buckingham Palace on the first day of the three-day state visit.  Mr Trump and the First Lady Melania were greeted by Prince Charles after their helicopter, Marine One, landed on the West Lawn of the palace on Monday afternoon.  The ceremonial welcome, which included a private lunch and a guided tour of the Royal Collection, was played out against a fiery backdrop after Mr Trump and London Mayor Sadiq Khan had traded blows. The President wasted no time in getting his state visit started, unleashing a flurry of tweets criticising London Mayor Sadiq Khan before Air Force One had even touched down. Tweeting while still in the air over Stansted Airport, he called Mr Khan a “stone cold loser”, saying he had done a “terrible job” as mayor after the mayor on Sunday described the president as “just one of the most egregious examples of a growing global threat” and compared the language he has used to that of the “fascists of the 20th century”. On Monday morning, Mr Khan’s spokesman said that “childish insults” should be “beneath the  president of the United States”. Mr Trump and his wife Melania landed in Essex just before 9am on Monday as it emerged he would no longer have a lengthy bilateral meeting with Theresa May. The US President had been scheduled for a private sit down with Mrs May but this has now been taken off the agenda. Donald Trump’s UK state visit, in pictures They will also attend the dinner hosted by the Queen tonight – as will other government ministers including leadership contenders Jeremy Hunt and Michael Gove. The US president said he expected his three-day state visit to be “very important” and “very interesting” as he left the White House on Sunday evening. 4:35PM The first pictures from inside Clarence House Prince Charles held court inside Clarence House as he and the Duchess of Cambridge posed for photographs with the President and First Lady. Upon entering the room, Prince Charles picked up a flashbulb that had been dropped by an American photographer and exclaimed that it looked like an ice cream. Mr and Mrs Trump shook hands with officials including the Queen’s equerry and Michael Vernon, controller at the Lord Chamberlain’s Office. After the photocall, the President and his wife got back into the Marine One helicopter and took off for Winfield House, where they are staying. Prince Charles holds court at Clarence House Credit: Victoria Jones/PA   4:12PM Trump heads to Clarence house for tea with Prince Charles  Donald Trump has joined the Prince of Wales for tea at Clarence House. Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall greeted Mr Trump and First Lady Melania in the garden as they arrived for afternoon tea at their official residence. Camilla wore a beige and white spotted silk dress by Fiona Clare for the occasion. The future King earlier invited President Trump to inspect the guard of honour at Buckingham Palace, and will tomorrow attend a dinner at Winfield House,  the US ambassador’s residence in Regent’s Park. .@realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS have arrived at Clarence House to have tea with Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.TrumpUKVisit Latest on the statevisit here: https://t.co/MhzhR1kZQxpic.twitter.com/GZPPhoROe0— Sky News (@SkyNews) June 3, 2019   3:58PM Harry shows Ivanka around Buckingham Palace There appeared to be no ill-feeling between the Trumps and the Duke of Sussex.  Prince Harry allowed his grandmother to take the lead as she showed Donald Trump and the First Lady around Buckingham Palace’s Royal Collection.  At the back of the room, he guided Ivanka Trump around the picture gallery.  Ivanka Trump and Prince Harry view displays of US items of the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace  Credit: Mendel Ngan/AFP Headlines overnight highlighted Mr Trump’s comments about the Duchess of Sussex, when he was confronted with comments she had made during the race to the White House in 2016.  He said he didn’t realise Meghan Markle was “nasty”, but insisted it was not a malicious comment.  It appeared to have been taken that way by Prince Harry, who showed no signs of hostility inside Buckingham Palace.  3:43PM Labour MP ‘saddened’ by ‘hysterical’ response of colleagues Labour MP Kate Hoey said she is “saddened” by the “hysterical” response from some of her party colleagues to the arrival of US President Donald Trump. “Saddened by the hysterical reaction to visit of the President of the United States by some Labour colleagues,” she tweeted. “A democratically elected President of our closest ally should be welcomed whether we agree with his views or not. “HM The Queen shows the world the nature of the UK.” Saddened by the hysterical reaction to visit of @POTUS by some Labour colleagues A democratically elected President of our closest ally should be welcomed whether we agree with his views or not. HM the Queen shows the world the nature of the U.K. @USAmbUK— Kate Hoey (@KateHoeyMP) June 3, 2019 3:41PM The American artefacts Trump was shown  The Royal Family’s official Twitter account has revealed details of what Donald Trump was shown inside Buckingham Palace’s picture gallery. The Queen, President Trump and the First Lady view a display of items from the Royal Collection illustrating the enduring relationship between the US and the UK. USStateVisitpic.twitter.com/gPuI5Ziab6— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 3, 2019 The items include photographs and a telegraph from King George VI and Queen Elizabeth’s visit to the US in 1939, where they were entertained by President Roosevelt in Washington and New York for three days. USStateVisitpic.twitter.com/AmyfBeIF5L— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 3, 2019 The display also explores King George VI’s relationship with Winston Churchill and Dwight Eisenhower during the Second World War, particularly in the days leading up to and following the D-Day landings. pic.twitter.com/Nk1uEevMKQ— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 3, 2019 3:24PM Wreath lain for Unknown Warrior US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were greeted by the Duke of York as they arrived at Westminster Abbey. The president was welcomed by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, who led prayers at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior. A wreath was laid in honour of the two World Wars and more recent conflicts, as is tradition with a state visit – President George W Bush laid a wreath in 2003 and President Obama in 2011. Prince Andrew, Duke of York (left) with US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior Credit: Chris Jackson Standing at the grave, the president touched his hand on the wreath and kept his eyes closed during the prayer. 3:14PM Trump given Churchill book as gift by Queen The Queen’s official gifts to Mr Trump were a first edition of The Second World War by Winston S Churchill from 1959. The crimson book features gold tooled decoration on the cover, spine and inner cover, an EIIR cypher in gold on the front, silk endpapers and hand-sewn headbands in colours of the US flag with all pages edged in gilt. The monarch also gave Mr Trump a three-piece Duofold pen set – a fountain pen, rollerball pen and ball point pen with EIIR cypher – using the obsidian design, exclusively made for the Queen. Mrs Trump was presented with a specially commissioned silver box with a handcrafted enamel lid. Its royal blue decoration featured roses, thistles and shamrocks to represent the ceiling of the palace music room. 3:04PM Trump on the move to Westminster Abbey The presidential entourage is on the move again – this time heading to Westminster Abbey. A small crowd opposite Westminster Abbey began applauding and chanting “we love Trump” as a convoy carrying the US President arrived.  Donald and Melania Trump walking through Westminster Abbey Credit: Mandel Ngan/AFP 2:56PM Video footage from inside Buckingham Palace Hannah Furness, our Royal Correspondent, is inside Buckingham Palace’s picture gallery.  She has this exclusive footage of The Queen showing Donald Trump a selection of American artefacts from the Royal Collection. Some more brilliant footage from @Hannah_Furness, this time from inside Buckingham Palace. Here is The Queen showing Donald Trump around the Royal Collection. pic.twitter.com/qoQ5K8pbF2— Gareth Davies (@GD10) June 3, 2019 2:39PM Queen showing Donald Trump American artefacts inside Buckingham Palace The President of the US is being shown a number American artefacts inside Buckingham Palace – and has a very special guide.  The Queen is personally showing Mr Trump and his wife Melania around the Royal Collection inside the palace.  The Queen shows Donald Trump around the Royal Collection Credit: Mandel Ngan/AFP With the US leader’s Scottish heritage, a bolt of Harris tweed was pointed out to him and the monarch rubbed her fingers to indicate its soft texture. At one point Mr Trump looked up and smiled at the gathered media. The Duke of Sussex, who was at the lunch, entered the room alongside Ivanka Trump. The Duke of York was also there and spent time showing Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner the displays. Meanwhile, Prince Harry stayed mainly at the far end of the room chatting to the Lord Chamberlain of the Royal Household Earl Peel. 2:26PM A royal fist-bump? Donald Trump’s hands may have been tired from launching social media grenades all morning, so you could forgive him for not quite getting to grips with The Queen’s handshake.  At first glance, it looks as though the US President and Her Majesty are exchanging fist-bumps – perhaps a nod to the Cricket World Cup. The Queen greets Donald Trump with what looks like a fist-bump at first glance Credit: PA/Victoria Jones Even the Press Association, whose photographer Victoria Jones took the momentous picture, hashtagged the photograph “fist bump”. But upon closer inspection, Mr Trump’s hand can be seen curled around the fingers of his host in an awkward half-handshake, half-thumb war embrace.  The awkward handshake between Donald Trump and The Wueen Credit: Victoria Jones/PA 2:12PM Secret messages behind Melania’s outfits The secret message behind Melania Trump’s first UK outfits 1:59PM Muted protests outside Buckingham Palace Protests outside Buckingham Palace were notably muted as Donald Trump arrived for his reception with the Queen, despite fears of widespread disruption, reports news reporter Jack Hardy. However, Hada Moreno, 46, travelled from Oxford so she could hold up a placard reading: “Love the good American people. Hate Trumpism”. Hada Moreno from Oxford Credit: Jack Hardy/The Telegraph She said: “I think it is important to speak up against what is wrong. I believe that is my right, my obligation, to speak up for our British values of freedom, democracy, equality, tolerance and respect for all religions, which is completely what Trump is against.” Police were forced to step in after Pro-Trump activists carrying British and US flags began a heated row with a member of the public. Pro-Trump activists have begun launching a volley of abuse at the TV broadcasters opposite Buckingham Palace pic.twitter.com/fPbN2OSaC5— Jack Hardy (@JackHardy9) June 3, 2019 One man, wearing a Chelsea football shirt and carrying a flag bearing a dragon, accused the passerby of being an “ignoramus” and, in turn, was told he should “ashamed”. Several officers approached the group after a crowd began to form and ordered those watching to move on. 1:34PM The Telegraph behind the scenes at Buckingham Palace Our Royal Correspondent was on the West Lawn of Buckingham Palace to witness Donald Trump being officially welcomed to the UK by The Queen.  Check out the exclusive footage she captured below:  Exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from Buckingham Palace by our Royal Correspondent @Hannah_Furness. As God Save The Queen plays out, Donald Trump and the First Lady can be seen on the terrace alongside The Queen, The Prince Of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall. pic.twitter.com/uQu2r7PQsK— Gareth Davies (@GD10) June 3, 2019 Another great piece of footage from behind the scenes at Buckingham Palace from @Hannah_Furness. Donald Trump greeting the soldiers as he and Prince Charles inspect the guard of honour. pic.twitter.com/sEilTunnlv— Gareth Davies (@GD10) June 3, 2019 1:06PM Khan’s video message to Trump Sadiq Khan has been featured in a video addressing Donald Trump, saying “your values are the opposite of ours”.  The video, released by women’s magazine Elle, features the Mayor of London delivering a speech to camera addressing the US’ abortion laws. Mayor of London, @SadiqKhan has a message for @realDonaldTrump on his arrival to London about how women ought to be treated globally. ‘Dear Trump…’ https://t.co/hJ5uhS9wU6pic.twitter.com/MwlwJu5Lpf— ELLEUK (@ELLEUK) June 3, 2019 12:46PM Trump takes time to talk to each individual soldier When the royal party and their guests stepped from the palace, Mr Trump was invited to inspect the guard of honour. In an unusual move, the president took the time to talk to each soldier individually.  Charles accompanied the president as he strode onto the lawns to inspect the waiting troops formed up in two lines with the guardsmen wearing their famous scarlet tunics and bearskins. Several of the guardsmen on parade have US links.  All will at some point in their careers train alongside US forces.  The tallest on parade, Guardsman Joshua Young-Hastings from Wandsworth, London played American Football for the London Warriors prior to joining the British Army, and was scouted for a professional career with the NFL.  He was awarded a half scholarship to Baylor University to play American Football. President Donald Trump inspect the Guard of Honour at Buckingham Palace Credit: Alex Brandon/AP His grandmother was always a huge fan of the guards, watching Trooping the Colour every year, and Joshua chose against a sporting career to join the Grenadier Guards to make his granny proud as well as to serve his country – a lifelong ambition for him.  Another instantly recognisable guardsman on parade on Monday with an impressive handlebar moustache is Guardsman Robert Spilling who was born in St Louis, Missouri to an English father and American mother.  Having finished school he enlisted in the US Army. On completion of training Robert Spilling was assigned to 4th Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).  Having passed Air Assault School, Robert was then deployed to Afghanistan as a Specialist, performing duties as a forward artillery observer and as part of a force protection team, working alongside British forces and looking after American advisors. On return from this seven month deployment, he was promoted to Sergeant. At the end of his US Army contract, he chose not to re-enlist, choosing instead to pursue a career in the British Army.  Joining the Grenadier Guards in June 2018, Guardsman Spilling was sent  to Nijmegen Company in order to learn his role as an Infantryman and as a Guardsman. He has already been selected to attend a junior non-commissioned officers course, which will see him promote to Lance Corporal should he pass. 12:42PM National anthems played at Buckingham Palace The first anthem played by the band was the US anthem. Both Donald and Melania Trump held their right hands across their chests as the music played.  Mr Trump then inspected the guard of honour, before God Save The Queen was played.  12:31PM Queen shakes hands warmly with President The Queen shook hands warmly with Mr Trump and smiled broadly before turning to greet the First Lady. The Trumps and the royals then went inside the palace, through the Bow Room, where the Queen introduced senior members of her household to her guests and in-turn the US leader did the same with prominent figures from his entourage. Queen shakes hands warmly with President Credit: Victoria Jones/PA Outside the trees swayed and the waiting press shielded their eyes as the president’s helicopter and its accompanying aircraft took off. After the helicopters had left the guard of honour formed by Nijmegen Company Grenadier Guards under the command of Major Hamish Hardy, and the Band of the Grenadier Guards and Corps of Drums of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards formed up on the lawns. 12:28PM Band plays to welcome Trump On the West Lawn of Buckingham Palace gardens,  the guard of honour, formed by Nijmegen Company Grenadier Guards, commanded by Major Hamish Hardy, gave a Royal Salute and the Band of the Grenadier Guards, supported by the Corps of Drums of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, will then perform the US and UK National Anthems.  Eight Troopers from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment will line the steps up to the Grand Terrace, and Silver Stick, Colonel Crispin Lockhart, and Lieutenant Colonel Simon Soskin The Field Officer in Brigade Waiting, were in attendance.  All soldiers on parade were under command of the General Officer Commanding The Household Division, Major General Ben Bathurst. The President will then be invited to inspect the Guard of Honour.  12:19PM Gun salutes to welcome Trump At the invitation of Her Majesty The Queen, troops from the British Army’s Household Division delivered an immaculate Guard of Honour for the arrival of the President of the United States of America at Buckingham Palace.  As the President arrived on the West Lawns, two 41-gun salutes fired simultaneously in The Green Park by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and at HM Tower of London by the Honourable Artillery Company.  Donald Trump and Prince Charles walk to Buckingham Palace Credit: Adrian Dennis/AFP British armed forces have trained and fought alongside American troops for more than a century and no two countries work more closely together on defence cooperation. The State Visit Gun Salutes is followed seamlessly by a further 41-gun Salute in The Green Park by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and a further 62 Gun Salute by the Honourable Artillery Company at HM Tower of London.  This second salute is to commemorate the anniversary of the Coronation of Her Majesty The Queen which falls on Sunday, June 2 but will be marked coincidentally also on Monday as Gun Salutes are never fired on Sundays.  US President Donald Trump was then met by the Prince of Wales and formally welcomed to Great Britain by Her Majesty The Queen once inside the palace. In total, therefore, London will witness 185 Guns fired for the two distinct special events. 12:18PM Ivanka peers out of Buckingham Palace window As she waited for her father to be greeted by the Royal Family, Ivanka Trump was seen peering out of one of the windows of Buckinham Palace. Ivanka Trump looks out of the window Credit: Chris Jackson   12:11PM Trump and First Lady land at Buckingham Palace The helicopter carrying Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump has landed within the grounds of Buckingham Palace.  Marine One landed on the West Lawn of the royal residence just before 12.15pm. Prince Charles and his wife the Duchess of Cornwall appeared two minutes later and walked out to the lawn to greet their American guests.  11:57AM No formal May-Trump meeting expected Donald Trump will not hold formal one-to-one talks with the Prime Minister during his State visit, Downing Street have confirmed, reports Political Correspondent Harry Yorke.   Theresa May will hold a series of meetings with the the US President on Tuesday, including a round table with business leaders and a separate discussion where they will be joined by their two delegations.  On both occasions, the two leaders will joined by their delegations of senior officials and ministers.  However, the schedule for the visit does not include time for the two leaders to meet on their own.  Instead, Mr Trump and Mrs May will host a round table with business leaders, which will be attended by the Chancellor Philip Hammond and the International Trade Secretary Liam Fox. They will also hold a bilateral meeting in Downing Street, where they will be joined by their two delegations and Jeremy Hunt, the Foreign Secretary.  Downing Street insisted it was normal for meetings between the two leaders to take place with their delegations. Theresa May and U.S. President Donald Trump walk to a joint news conference at Chequers, the official country residence of the Prime Minister, near Aylesbury, last year Credit: Hannah McKay/Reuters Mrs May will first welcome Mr Trump and the First Lady on the steps of Downing Street on Tuesday, before posing for photographs inside.  Mr Trump and the Prime Minister will then host a joint press conference, and will go on to a private tour of the Churchill War Rooms, where Winston Churchill helped mastermind the Second World War effort. They will be joined by historians, a Downing Street spokesperson said.  The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said it was “always going to be the case” that the meeting in the Cabinet Room at Number 10 would involve the delegations. “These are always how the discussions take place with any leader,” the spokesman said, adding there was “nothing unusual here”. The spokesman insisted the two leaders would have time for informal private talks during Mr Trump’s visit. “You can see the events they are at, you can see the fact she is providing him with a tour of the Churchill War Rooms, I would expect them to be having discussions with just the two of them.” Asked whether Mr Trump did not want to meet Mrs May for a one-to-one, her official spokesman said: “I’m sure the answer to that is no.”  Downing Street said the US President’s spat with London Mayor Sadiq Khan was a matter for them. And the Prime Minister’s spokesman would not be drawn on Theresa May’s response to Donald Trump’s pre-visit interviews criticising her Brexit policy, backing Boris Johnson and praising Nigel Farage. “The president was asked a series of questions and he chose to answer them,” the spokesman said. Asked whether Brexit Party leader Mr Farage should join the negotiations with Brussels, the spokesman said: “The next phase of Brexit negotiations will be conducted by somebody else, not by the Prime Minister. “It will be for them to seek a way forward.” 11:56AM Trump tweets from the air – again! In his third airborne tweet of the day, Donald Trump takes aim at CNN for the ‘false picture’ it paints of the USA.  “Sad,” he signed off the message.   I believe that if people stoped using or subscribing to @ATT, they would be forced to make big changes at @CNN, which is dying in the ratings anyway. It is so unfair with such bad, Fake News! Why wouldn’t they act. When the World watches @CNN, it gets a false picture of USA. Sad!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2019 11:51AM Westminster prepares for Trump’s arrival A series of vehicles, believed to be part of Mr Trump’s motorcade, have gone through the gates of Buckingham Palace ahead of his arrival.  Helicopters whirred above as Westminster awaited his entrance. 11:50AM ‘We should extend Trump a welcome’, Farage says Nigel Farage, leader of the Brexit Party, tweeted: “As Trump arrives in the UK for his thee-day visit, he comes offering a trade deal if we need one, but also American’s hand of friendship. “As the democratically elected leader of the free world, we should extend to him a welcome that befits the status of his office and great country.” 11:45AM Trump’s Twitter keeps delivering As he waits to meet The Queen, it seems Donald Trump is keeping himself busy with his Twitter account.  Not satisfied with tearing into Sadiq Khan, the president took aim at China and then CNN from the sanctuary of Winfield House.  China is subsidizing its product in order that it can continue to be sold in the USA. Many firms are leaving China for other countries, including the United States, in order to avoid paying the Tariffs. No visible increase in costs or inflation, but U.S. is taking Billions!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2019  In another tweet half an hour later, he criticised long-time critic CNN. He said: “Just arrived in the United Kingdom. The only problem is that CNN is the primary source of news available from the US. “After watching it for a short while, I turned it off. All negative and so much fake news, very bad for US. Big ratings drop. Why doesn’t owner AT&T; do something?” Just arrived in the United Kingdom. The only problem is that @CNN is the primary source of news available from the U.S. After watching it for a short while, I turned it off. All negative & so much Fake News, very bad for U.S. Big ratings drop. Why doesn’t owner @ATT do something?— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2019 11:37AM Police officers on Buckingham Palace roof Police officers can be seen standing at three different points on the roof at the front of Buckingham Palace. The crowd outside is growing, and they are still being entertained by a military band playing on the palace forecourt. Police of the roof of Buckingham Palace, London, during the first day of a state visit to the UK by US  Credit: Steve Parsons/PA Tunes have included the themes to both Rocky and Fame. 11:32AM Calm before the storm at Trump hotel? There were no protesters outside the Corinthia Hotel in Whitehall, where four members of the Trump family are reportedly staying during the president’s state visit, reports news reporter Phoebe Southworth. But a gaggle of Tessa Thompson and Chris Hemsworth fans gathered outside the five star hotel hoping to get selfies with the stars who are staying there. Jake Hughes, 21, who has just finished his second year studying film and drama at the University of Portsmouth, travelled down from his home in the Isle of Wight to get a picture with Hemsworth. Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson and Kumail Nanjiani attend the Men in Black: International photocall at The Corinthia Hotel  Credit: Jeff Spicer/Getty He said: “I’m not here for Trump – just Chris Hemsworth! I love him in The Avengers and Thor. “I don’t really like Trump but America are our friends, so it’s rude of people to protest.” English student Candice, 26, from Paris, and her friend Sophie Chen, 29, who works in cosmetics, also came down to see Hemsworth and Thompson. Candice said: “I don’t understand why people are so angry about him coming. He’s the President of the United States who was democratically elected. He’s not a dictator. I think British people are being a bit rude.” Sophie said: “Most of the protesters just don’t like him and I can understand that they would want to express that.” 11:28AM Trump v Khan: A history of bad blood A long-running personal feud between US President Donald Trump and London Mayor Sadiq Khan appears to be far from over. The pair publicly clashed in the latest round of exchanges as the US head of state began a three-day state visit to the UK. But what other incidents have there been? July 2018 Mr Trump laid into Mr Khan after a wave of terror attacks in the capital the previous year, accusing him of “doing a terrible job” and a “bad job on crime”. The verbal attack on Mr Khan came after the London mayor refused to block a plan to fly a giant inflatable “Trump baby” near Parliament to coincide with the US president’s visit to the UK. The Trump blimp Credit: Andrew Yates/Reuters Flown in London during the president’s last visit, the 20ft high blimp depicted the US leader as an angry infant wearing a nappy and clutching a mobile phone. At the time, Mr Khan said he would not rise to Mr Trump’s “beastly” comments. June 2017 The pair clashed in the wake of the deadly London Bridge terror attack, after Mr Khan said Londoners should not be alarmed by visibly increased security on the streets of the capital. In response, Mr Trump tweeted: “At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is ‘no reason to be alarmed!”‘ Mr Khan said he would not allow Mr Trump or anyone else to “divide our community”. At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is “no reason to be alarmed!”— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 4, 2017 May 2016 Before Mr Trump was elected as US president, he and Mr Khan were involved in another public row. The then presidential candidate had previously called for Muslims to be banned from the US, but after the election of Mr Khan as mayor, said he would make an exception for him. In response, Mr Khan, who is a Muslim, said he is “not exceptional”, adding that the views of Mr Trump and his advisers on Islam are “ignorant” and invited him to come and meet moderate Muslims. He added: “The vast, vast, vast majority of Muslims are law-abiding and peaceful (and) unequivocally condemn these acts of terror committed by a small number of people using the name of Islam to justify their nihilistic actions.” Hitting back during an interview, Mr Trump branded the statements from the Labour politician as “very rude” and “very nasty”, and challenged him to an IQ test. 10:58AM Labour criticism of Trump’s Khan tweets Responding to Mr Trump’s tweets about the Mayor of London, Labour MP Yvette Cooper tweeted: “So appalled Theresa May has given this man a red carpeted platform to do this. “Doesn’t help Britain to be lavishing pomp on a President so determined to be divisive, childish and destructive. Doesn’t help US or world to be gifting him a whole load of Royal photo ops to use next year.”  So appalled Theresa May has given this man a red carpeted platform to do this. Doesn’t help Britain to be lavishing pomp on a President so determined to be divisive, childish & destructive. Doesn’t help US or world to be gifting him a whole load of Royal photo ops to use next yr https://t.co/iApxm4G7m9— Yvette Cooper (@YvetteCooperMP) June 3, 2019 Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott added: “Ridiculous insults from Trump.” Ridiculous insults from Trump https://t.co/EXMWlz70Uw— Diane Abbott (@HackneyAbbott) June 3, 2019 10:50AM ‘Shameful’ Khan is disrespecting Trump, supporter says. Another Trump supporter hit out at the critics of the US President, suggesting it was “disrespectful” during his state visit, reports Jack Hardy.  Neil Clark, a 39-year-old retail worker from Woolwich, south London, said outside Buckingham Palace: “I’m a massive fan of Trump – great guy, doing great things in the US. I like his charisma and energy and the passion of his.” Asked about the criticism of Mr Trump, the supporter, also wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat said: “To be honest, I think it’s disrespectful. The majority of people here are here to welcome the President of the US.  “I think it’s quite shameful that Sadiq Khan is encouraging this.”  On his tweets about Mr Khan, he added: “I think it’s justified, the way that Sadiq Khan has talked about him and it’s quite disrespectful.” 10:45AM Jeremy Hunt accidentally tags wrong Melania account in tweet You could forgive the Foreign Secretary for getting over-excited having just greeted the President and his wife to the UK ahead of their state visit.  He tweeted of his pride at greeting the couple, but accidentally tagged the wrong Melania Trump account in the message.  Instead of mentioning the @FLOTUS account, he instead decided to use the @MelaniaTrump account, which hasn’t been active since January 2018.  Proud to be at Stansted this morning to greet @realDonaldTrump & @MELANIATRUMP as they arrive in the UK. Hugely exciting few days ahead celebrating our great friendship & honouring those who fought side by side to defend freedom from tyranny USStateVisitpic.twitter.com/VBTkpU5saw— Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) June 3, 2019 10:37AM Ivanka Trump ‘looking forward’ to visit Today, Her Majesty The Queen will welcome @POTUS and @FLOTUS for a State Visit to the United Kingdom. I am looking forward to joining the US delegation for this commemorative visit. ��������— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) June 3, 2019 10:16AM Trump critics ‘brainwashed’, says supporter One Trump supporter standing outside Buckingham Palace in a “Make America Great Again” hat said she had travelled from Aberystwyth in Wales for the occasion, reports news reporter Jack Hardy.  The woman, who asked not to be named, suggested people who criticised the US President had been brainwashed. She told The Telegraph: “I think it’s a disease that needs tackling, they have been brainwashed.  “We have got legions of brainwashed idiots who would rather have the end of humanity than not be politically correct.” On Mr Trump’s Tweets about Sadiq Khan, she added: “I think it is fantastic. Look at all the flack he gets.” The supporter arrived on the 6.59am train from Banbury in Oxfordshire, where she will be staying for several days over the course of Mr Trump’s visit.  10:14AM US Embassy in London welcomes President Welcome to the UK @realDonaldTrump & @FLOTUS! �������� USStateVisitpic.twitter.com/u0cF1Y8b5v— U.S. Embassy London (@USAinUK) June 3, 2019 10:07AM Trump’s helicopter lands in Westminster  Marine One, carrying Melania and Donald Trump, has landed in Westminster.  POTUS coming in to land at Winfield House, his base for the next couple of days. The minaret of London’s Central Mosque to the left…. pic.twitter.com/uUEUPzdyhF— Aleem Maqbool (@AleemMaqbool) June 3, 2019 10:02AM ‘Carnival of resistance’ expected in Westminster We have been warned about the “carnival of resistance” planned to mark the visit of the US President.  Our news reporter Jack Hardy has met one of those in London whose only goal is to swear at Mr Trump.  Outside Buckingham Palace, Rudy, a 39-year-old from Jersey, said he was waiting to give the middle finger to Mr Trump. The chef booked a flight over from Frankfurt, close to where he works, for just eight Euros to greet the US President. He told The Telegraph: “I will stand here until the cars drive by – how many opportunities will I have in my life to put my finger up to D-Trizz?  “I would have paid as much as 16 Euros for that.” The tourist said he works with many people from the US in Trier, Germany, but they have chosen to go to Disneyland Paris this week instead of travelling to the UK to see their president.  “Boy George is going to be at Disneyland Paris,” he explained. 9:49AM A look back at Trump’s last visit With the state visit merely minutes old, it looks like we will once again be spoiled for talking points.  Here is a look back at the last time the President of the United States was on British soil. 9:47AM Sadiq Khan responds to being called ‘stone cold loser’ A spokesman for Sadiq Khan said: “This is much more serious than childish insults which should be beneath the President of the United States. “Sadiq is representing the progressive values of London and our country, warning that Donald Trump is the most egregious example of a growing far-right threat around the globe, which is putting at risk the basic values that have defined our liberal democracies for more than 70 years.” 9:45AM Trump voiced “strong feelings” about Khan moment he stepped off Air Force One Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt was one of the first people Donald Trump talked to on British soil, and there was only one man on the president’s mind – London Mayor Sadiq Khan.  Mr Hunt said: “He shared his strong feelings about the Mayor of London,” when asked what they talked about. Although the Tory leadership hopeful would not divulge the exact details of what was said, he said it was consistent with the language he used in his tweets about Mr Khan.  The Foreign Secretary continued: “The president does what the president does but let’s ask why he was so angry when he did that tweet and I think the very simple reason is he’s been shown great discourtesy. “What I would say is for Sadiq Khan and the Labour Party to be boycotting the state visit of the President of the United States, who has been invited here not by Theresa May but by Her Majesty the Queen to celebrate a relationship that goes back centuries but just 75 years ago saw a million American servicemen on our soil land ready to make the ultimate sacrifice for our liberty, is I’m afraid, virtue-signalling of the worst kind.” Mr Hunt told the BBC it was “disgraceful” to boycott the visit given the timing, and said the world is looking at the US and the UK as the “guardians of democracy”, and that the visit should “go beyond politics”. 9:24AM What makes up Trump’s 17-vehicle motorcade? Presidential motorcade The president’s car – The Beast – is one of the most advanced roadworthy vehicles in the world. Here is a closer look at it.  Anatomy of the Beast 9:22AM Trump state visit: timetable Timetable | Donald Trump’s State visit 9:17AM The expected controversy surrounding the state visit Shortly before boarding Marine One in the US, Mr Trump was asked if he planned to meet Boris Johnson during the trip. “Well, I think I may meet with him. He’s been a friend of mine. He’s been very nice. I have a very good relationship with him,” the president said of the Tory leadership hopeful. He went on: “I have a very good relationship with Nigel Farage, with many people over there (in the UK) and we’ll see what happens. I may meet with him. They want to meet. We’ll see what happens.” Mr Farage said over the weekend he had been “banned” from meeting Mr Trump during his visit. Accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, the president arrived aboard Air Force One on Monday morning having already created a considerable degree of political turbulence with comments on the Tory leadership race, Brexit and the Duchess of Sussex. Ahead of the visit, he called on Britain to leave the European Union without a deal if Brussels refuses to meet its demands and urged the Government to send Mr Farage into the negotiations. Addressing the prospect of a transatlantic trade deal, Mr Trump said: “(We’re) going to the UK. I think it’ll be very important. It certainly will be very interesting. There’s a lot going on in the UK. And I’m sure it’s going to work out very well for them. “As you know, they want to do trade with the United States, and I think there’s an opportunity for a very big trade deal at some point in the near future. And we’ll see how that works out.” Anti-Trump protesters are expected to gather in large numbers in London, but Mr Trump will be largely shielded from them, as his official welcome will take place at Buckingham Palace,  away from the public gaze. He will not take part in a carriage procession during his stay. The president departed from Joint Base Andrews near Washington DC aboard Air Force One at around 8.45pm local time (1.45am BST). The Trumps are due to arrive aboard at Stansted Airport before heading to Buckingham Palace for a reception with the Queen, Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. The Duke of Sussex will also attend a private lunch at the palace – although his wife, who is on maternity leave, will be at home with their four-week-old son, Archie. Mr Trump has already denied calling the Duchess of Sussex “nasty” when he was recently confronted with comments she made before the 2016 US elections saying she would leave the country if he won. Asked at the White House on Sunday evening if he was willing to apologise to the Royal Family, or to clarify the comments made to The Sun’s political editor, Mr Trump replied: “No, I made no bad comment. Thank you.” On Sunday, Mr Khan described the president as “just one of the most egregious examples of a growing global threat” and compared the language he has used to that of the “fascists of the 20th century”. Asked if he would be willing to meet the London mayor, Mr Trump replied: “No, I don’t think much of him. I think that he’s a – he’s the twin of (New York City mayor Bill) de Blasio, except shorter.” 9:10AM Trump appears from Air Force One The president and his wife Melania waved from the top of the stairs of Air Force One having landed at Stansted Airport. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt is among the arriving party. After exchanging pleasantries with the gathered delegates – which included the US ambassador to the UK Woody Johnson – the presidential couple boarded the Marine One helicopter to take them to Westminster.  The president appeared to salute a police officer who was also there to meet him. He briefly held hands with Melania as they walked to their helicopter. 9:00AM Sadiq Khan a ‘stone cold loser’, Trump tweets from Air Force One While Air Force One was still in the air over Essex, Donald Trump unleashed a barrage of abuse criticising London Mayor Sadiq Khan.  ….Kahn reminds me very much of our very dumb and incompetent Mayor of NYC, de Blasio, who has also done a terrible job – only half his height. In any event, I look forward to being a great friend to the United Kingdom, and am looking very much forward to my visit. Landing now!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2019 Air Force One pictured on a live stream, showing that the tweets were sent from the air Credit: Sky News   8:57AM Donald and Melania Trump land in the UK   The US President and the First Lady have arrived at Stansted Airport.  Two huge presidential helicopters sat on the runway having arrived in Essex first.  Minutes later, the iconic Air Force One touched down on day one of their three-day state visit.  8:48AM The itinerary As we await the arrival of the presidential party, here’s the rundown of what to expect from our Royal Correspondent Hannah Furness.  Good morning. It is USStateVisit day. Expect the unexpected, but here’s what we can say with certainty so far: �� ceremonial welcome for @POTUS and @FLOTUS in the garden of Buckingham Palace ��‍♂️ Mr Trump and the Prince of Wales inspect the guards �� Royal gun salutes …— Hannah Furness (@Hannah_Furness) June 3, 2019 �� Private lunch at Buckingham Palace hosted by the Queen. Prince Harry will be one of the guests. �� Viewing of special exhibition of Royal Collection items relating to the US ⛪ Visit to @wabbey to lay wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, accompanied by Prince Andrew …— Hannah Furness (@Hannah_Furness) June 3, 2019 ☕ Tea at @ClarenceHouse with the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall. �� State banquet at Buckingham Palace. Expect gowns, tiaras, and the Royal Family (sans Sussexes ����) out in force. �� Speeches from the Queen and Mr TrumpUSStateVisit— Hannah Furness (@Hannah_Furness) June 3, 2019 8:41AM The Mall ready for Trump Our news reporter Jack Hardy is down at Buckingham Palace awaiting the arrival of the US President and his entourage.  US flags have joined their British counterparts along the length of The Mall, but, as yet, there are no signs of any protesters ahear of Donald Trump’s arrival in London pic.twitter.com/cIk169WX40— Jack Hardy (@JackHardy9) June 3, 2019  The Mall is primed and ready for Mr Trump’s visit.  8:25AM State of British politics as Trump visits Theresa May will be preparing to hand over the reins to a new leader as Donald Trump touches down, leaving the UK politically vulnerable. With the Tories looking for the chance to change tack, the US will be looking to influence the UK’s future direction on various political issues. Mr Trump and the Prime Minister hold talks at 10 Downing Street on Tuesday and he is expected to raise some controversial topics. Praising rivals Mr Trump praised two of Mrs May’s political rivals just days before his state visit to the UK, risking embarrassing her before Airforce One even touched down. The President hinted he may meet Tory leadership frontrunner Boris Johnson and Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage during his trip, describing both men as friends and “big powers”. Speaking to reporters in Washington, Mr Trump said: “Nigel Farage is a friend of mine. Boris is a friend of mine. They are two very good guys, very interesting people.” Donald Trump and Nigel Farage pictured in February Credit: Shealah Craighead/White House Both men have been vocal critics of Mrs May’s attempts to find a compromise Brexit deal. Post-Brexit trade Last year, the President publicly poo-pooed Mrs May’s Brexit deal, saying the terms for Brexit would damage the chances of a UK-US trade deal. Managing the special relationship will continue to be a challenge for her successor, as the incoming leader will face the same parliamentary difficulties that scuppered her attempts to build a coalition behind her proposals. A post-Brexit trade deal with the US is one of the key prizes sought by the UK after leaving the EU, but political rows over chlorine-washed chicken, hormone-treated beef, and Mr Trump’s “America first” approach to international affairs will need careful negotiation. Huawei The US wants to discuss concerns over the UK potentially allowing Huawei access to UK 5G networks during the visit. US national security adviser John Bolton confirmed the issue, which led directly to the sacking of former defence secretary Gavin Williamson, would be discussed. Although the UK Government insists no decision has yet been taken, leaked reports from the National Security Council suggested Mrs May could allow the firm access to peripheral but not core parts of the network. Speaking at the American embassy in London, Mr Bolton suggested Mrs May’s plan should be ditched by her successor because Huawei poses “a different kind of threat” and the US would accept “zero” risk of telecommunication networks being intercepted by foreign powers. Iran There are fears Mr Trump’s administration is sliding towards war with Iran following the deployment of a US aircraft carrier and B-52 bombers to the Gulf. And a public clash between the Pentagon and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) did not help matters, when a British general expressed doubts about the potential threat Iran poses to the US and its allies. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has moved to smooth tension – discussing the situation with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during talks in London earlier this month and insisting the UK and US “share the same assessment of the heightened threat posed by Iran” – but concerns remain. 7:44AM How the US has covered Trump’s visit US president Donald Trump and wife Melania are set to arrive in Britain for a three-day state visit. Here is how media outlets back across the pond are reporting on the trip. The New York Times says Mr Trump is visiting Britain “amid tense relations”, citing differing positions on the Iran nuclear deal and Huawei. The paper tells its online readers: “President Trump prides himself on being the great disrupter, but when he arrives in London on Monday for a state visit, it’s not clear how much more he can shake up a country that is already convulsed, divided and utterly exhausted by the long debate over its departure from the European Union.” The paper adds: “Mr Trump’s penchant for uncensored opinions and unsolicited advice is likely to capture as many headlines, if history is any guide, as the visit’s stately rituals.” CNN refers to comments in which he suggested the Duchess of Sussex was “nasty” and backed Boris Johnson to succeed Theresa May. The broadcaster, which has been criticised by the president in the past, says Mr Trump “limbered up for his latest overseas trip in typical style, with remarks that risked insulting his royal hosts and by plunging headlong into the country’s fraught domestic politics”. It adds: “Most presidents would go out of their way to avoid such sensitive topics at a moment of extreme political stress. “In Trump’s case, they may deepen his already intense unpopularity in Britain ahead of his arrival for a three-day stay on Monday but enhance his global reputation as an unpredictable, disruptive influence.” The Washington Post tells readers Britain appears to be a “reluctant host” for the president. It says of the pomp and pageantry of the state visit: “It will all be suitably over-the-top. But there is also a sense that British officials are slightly less than enthusiastic about this particular round of state visit grandeur.” The paper adds: “But whatever happens over the next few days, the Queen, one expects, will be as inscrutable as ever.” In an online article for Fox News, commentator James Carafano says “so what” if Mr Trump will not receive a cordial welcome across the board. “Trump’s No. 1 job is to deliver the message, ‘Don’t worry. Be happy’. Britain will thrive after Brexit, and post-Brexit Britain’s ‘special relationship’ with the US will be as special as ever,” he writes. “Job No. 2 should be to start revitalising what has made the US-UK relationship so special: our joint commitment to transatlantic security that spanned two world wars, a Cold War, and lots of messy stuff in between and after.” The Los Angeles Times reports on the visit beneath the headline: “Trump heads to London amid Brexit furore and political upheaval in Europe. What could go wrong?” Trump’s state visit to Britain will center around a banquet with Queen Elizabeth and the steadfastly apolitical royal family at Buckingham Palace. He’ll also visit Normandy to mark the 75th anniversary of the D-day invasion. https://t.co/RzI3DRCc9L— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) June 3, 2019 “If past is prologue, Trump won’t resist the urge to weigh in with his own opinions and to align himself with populist, nationalistic leaders he views as strong,” an online article says. “Trump’s in-your-face put-down of (Theresa) May last summer, just before they met, reflected the president’s indifference to diplomatic norms that world leaders should avoid meddling in another nation’s politics while abroad, as well as his tendency to frequently embarrass his foreign hosts.” The New York Post picks up comments by Mr Trump as he left the White House in which he described London mayor Sadiq Khan as a “shorter” version of his counterpart in the Big Apple. The paper tells readers: “The president made the remarks ahead of his flight to London, where he said has no intention to meet with Khan – who recently called Trump a ‘global threat’.”

– June 3, 2019 at 11:57AM

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