Summary

  1. Analysis

    This is a spectacle for the presidentpublished at 12:45 BST 17 September

    Sean Coughlan
    Royal correspondent, reporting from Windsor Castle

    King Charles, the Queen, Donald Trump and Queen on a raised stageImage source, Getty Images

    The unmistakable figure of President Trump stands beside King Charles on a red-carpeted raised platform.

    When the president looks out he can see the ceremonial symmetry of the military reception, the neat lines of guards in bearskins.

    All around are the castle turrets, the perfect lawn, the horses and carriages. And the band strikes up the Stars and Stripes.

    This is the spectacle being put on show for the president.

  2. President Trump and King Charles carry out inspectionpublished at 12:43 BST 17 September

    Trump and the King are now carrying out an inspection of the guard of honour.

    inspection shots with Trump and King CharlesImage source, PA Media
    King Charles (L) and a smiling Donald Trump stand on the lawn of Windsor Castle as they inspect the troops
    King Charles (L) listens to Donald Trump (R) speak as they walk along the lawn outside Windsor CastleImage source, PA Media
  3. Guard of honour greets Trump outside castlepublished at 12:41 BST 17 September

    Guard of Honour greets the carriage carrying US president Donald Trump and King Charles outside Windsor CaslteImage source, Getty Images

    The carriage procession has now ended.

    A guard of honour is assembled on a lawn outside Windsor Castle. The Trumps stand on the dais with the King and Queen, as the American and British national anthems are played again.

    The King will shortly invite Trump to inspect the guard of honour before everyone heads inside for lunch.

    Wide shot of Donald Trump saluting troops from under a white canopy outside Windsor Castle, Melania Trump to his right, the King and Queen to his leftImage source, Getty Images
  4. Striking images from historic Trump and royals meetingpublished at 12:38 BST 17 September

    We're getting more pictures now from the moment Trump met the King and other senior royals in Windsor.

    Trump and the King share a laughImage source, PA Media
    Queen Camilla and Melania Trump in a coachImage source, PA Media
    Prince and Princess of Wales with Donald and Melania TrumpImage source, PA Media
    Prince and Princess of Wales, Donald Trump and King CharlesImage source, PA Media
    King Charles shaking Donald Trump's handImage source, PA Media
  5. Trump and King deep in conversation as coaches roll through Windsorpublished at 12:36 BST 17 September
    Breaking

    Britain's King Charles and U.S. President Donald Trump sit in a carriage during a procession through Windsor CastlImage source, Reuters

    As the carriages make their way through the procession, Trump and the King can be seen leaning towards each other in conversation.

    Melania Trump can be seen speaking to Queen Camilla in the carriage behind.

    The national anthems of both countries are heard playing in the background.

  6. Closed carriages due to unpredictable British weatherpublished at 12:35 BST 17 September

    Daniela Relph
    Senior royal correspondent

    It's worth noting that the carriages in the procession are closed rather than the original plan for open carriages.

    That’s a nod to the unpredictable British weather.

  7. The moment the Trumps meet Prince William and Katepublished at 12:28 BST 17 September

    Prince William and KateImage source, Reuters
    Trump and MelaniaImage source, PA Media
    XImage source, PA Media
  8. How the next few hours will unfoldpublished at 12:26 BST 17 September

    Here's a quick recap of what just happened - and what's to come:

    First, a royal welcome: We just saw Trump arrive at Windsor Castle with the First Lady, where the pair were greeted by the Prince and Princess of Wales.

    And another: King Charles and Queen Camilla then welcomed the couple.

    Enter the royal coaches: The six of them are now taking part in a carriage procession through the grounds of Windsor towards the castle, passing through George IV Gate into Windsor Castle.

    More pomp: The carriages will then arrive at the Quadrangle, Windsor Castle, and a British Army guard of honour will be ready for inspection.

    Even more pomp: Afterwards, the American and British national anthems will be performed by the Massed Band of the Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards and Scots Guards. King Charles and Trump will inspect the guard of honour.

    Finally, lunchtime: Once the ceremony in the Quadrangle wraps up, they will move into the castle for a private lunch.

    Alt text: Aerial photo of Windsor Castle with an inset map locating it to the west of London. The image highlights areas of the castle that will be visited by Trump and Melania like the Quadrangle, the East Lawn, the State Apartments, St George's Chapel and Queen Mary's Dolls' House.
  9. Who's sharing a carriage with who?published at 12:24 BST 17 September

    The Trumps, the King, Queen and Prince and Princess of Wales have just stepped into the royal carriages, ahead of the procession.

    Here's a little more detail about the lavish coaches on display:

    Coach one

    First in the procession will be King Charles and President Trump, who are travelling in the Irish State Coach.

    Annotated photo of the Irish State Coach, black with red wheels, red upholstery in the box and golden details. The coach will carry King Charles III and US President Donald Trump. The annotations point to the golden frieze at the roof of the coach, which show roses for England, thistles for Scotland, shamrocks for Ireland and palm trees added when Queen Victoria was proclaimed Empress of India in 1876. Another annotation points to the curved guard to protect the carriage from mud. Source: Royal Collection Trust

    Coach two

    Next will be their respective wives - Queen Camilla and First Lady Melania Trump - together in the Scottish State Coach.

    Annotated photo of the Scottish State Coach, a grand black carriage with red wheels, red upholstery in the box and golden details. The coach will carry Queen Camilla and US First Lady Melania Trump. The annotations point to the glass panels in the roof, the Royal Arms of Scotland, which were added to the central doors in 1968 and the wreaths of thistles, national flower of Scotland, in the side panels. Source: Royal Collection Trust

    Coach three

    In the next carriage - a semi-state landau model - will be the Prince and Princess of Wales, joined by the US ambassador and his wife.

    The image shows two types of royal carriages: the Semi-State Landau and the Ascot Landau, each with descriptive labels. The Semi-State Landau is described as carrying the Prince of Wales, the Princess of Wales, US ambassador Warren Stephens, and Mrs Stephens. It is noted to be less ornate than the full ceremonial carriages and features a black body with gold detailing and red wheels. The Ascot Landau is described as carrying the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other dignitaries. It mentions that wicker-sided landaus are used every year for the procession during the Royal meeting at Ascot and can be used with hoods open or closed. This carriage has a black body, wicker sides, and black wheels. The source is Royal Collection Trust

    Coach four

    Following them will be some of the most senior figures in Trump's administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and overseas envoy Steve Witkoff, travelling in an Ascot Landau coach.

    Coach five

    Finally, a second Ascot Landau coach will carry senior assistants to the president and first lady.

  10. Charles and Queen greet Trump outside Windsor Castlepublished at 12:21 BST 17 September
    Breaking

    Media caption,

    Trump lands in Windsor and is welcomed by Royal Family

    For the second time, Donald Trump is greeted by a British monarch on a state visit.

    He shakes hands with King Charles and the pair are now deep in conversation outside Windsor Castle, with the Prince of Wales too.

    The first lady, Queen and Princess of Wales are chatting in a separate group nearby.

    King Charles extends a hand in greeting as Donald Trump approaches him flanked by Melania Trump (L) and the Prince of Wales (R). Standing to the King's left, in a blue morning coat dress and matching hat, is Queen CamillaImage source, PA Media
  11. Trump arrives at Windsor Castle for royal meetingpublished at 12:16 BST 17 September
    Breaking

    The Prince and Princess of Wales with Donald and Melania Trump near Marine OneImage source, PA Media

    We've just seen Donald Trump disembark from his helicopter, Marine One, alongside First Lady Melania Trump.

    The pair were greeted at Windsor Castle by the Prince and Princess of Wales, as planned.

    And with that, a day of pomp and ceremony begins. We will bring you all the latest here - follow along by hitting watch live above.

    Media caption,

    Trump lands in Windsor and is welcomed by Royal Family

    The Princess of WalesImage source, PA Media
  12. Trump's helicopter lands in Windsorpublished at 12:16 BST 17 September

    Marine One has landed in Windsor. We're watching and waiting for the president and first lady to step out.

    Wide shot of Windsor Castle as Marine One approaches for landing. The King's flag is seen flying on top of a towerImage source, EPA
    Marine One helicopter lands on the back lawn of Windsor Castle on a drizzly dayImage source, PA Media
  13. Bands play as Windsor prepares for Trump's arrivalpublished at 12:13 BST 17 September

    Sean Coughlan
    Royal correspondent, reporting from Windsor Castle

    x

    The scene from inside Windsor Castle, with bands playing as they make final preparations for the ceremonial greeting and troop inspection by the King and President Trump.

    The lawn looks so neat you could host Wimbledon down there.

  14. King and Queen arrive at Windsor for Trump meetingpublished at 12:07 BST 17 September
    Breaking

    Close up of King Charles looking sideways to his right as he enters a buildingImage source, PA Media

    We've just spotted King Charles and Queen Camilla for the first time today.

    They've taken their place at Windsor Castle ahead of Trump's arrival.

    Queen Camilla is wearing a vibrant sapphire blue dress, a matching coat by Fiona Clare and a hat by Philip Treacy, as well as a sapphire and diamond brooch.

    Queen Camilla wears a blue dressImage source, PA Media
  15. US delegation spotted outside Windsor Castlepublished at 12:05 BST 17 September

    A US delegation has been spotted outside Windsor Castle. Among them are US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff.

    US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pictured outside Windsor CastleImage source, UK Pool
  16. Trump's helicopter spotted over Londonpublished at 11:57 BST 17 September
    Breaking

    Media caption,

    Convoy of helicopters transport Trump to Windsor

    Our cameras have just picked up Marine One over London.

    You can see all the live pictures by pressing watch live at the top of this page.

    Annotated image of the US President's Marine One helicopter, manufactured by Sikorsky. The helicopter (side-on facing right) is painted green and white with the presidential livery and United States of America written on the side. It measures 17 meters (56 feet) in length. The helicopter is equipped with advanced security features including missile defence systems, radar jamming technology, and electronics hardened against electromagnetic pulses from nuclear blasts. It includes enhanced satellite communication systems and typically flies in formation with identical decoy helicopters to obscure the President's exact location. Used when motorcade travel is impractical.
  17. Military guards line up for Trump's Windsor processionpublished at 11:56 BST 17 September

    Donald Trump and his entourage are yet to leave London but preparations are already well under way for his arrival in Windsor.

    Members of the Royal Navy Ceremonial Guard are already lining the route along which the coach procession will take place shortly.

    There's no sign of the president yet so they may be standing there a while - and the weather isn't looking too balmy in Windsor.

    Members of the Royal Navy Ceremonial Guard line up the route ahead of a carriage procession through Windsor CastleImage source, Reuters
    Members of the Royal Navy Ceremonial Guard line up the route ahead of a carriage procession through Windsor CastleImage source, Reuters
  18. Queen Camilla to take part in the visit after illnesspublished at 11:43 BST 17 September

    Sean Coughlan
    Royal correspondent, reporting from Windsor Castle

    Queen Camilla smilesImage source, PA Media

    Queen Camilla had to miss the funeral of the Duchess of Kent on Tuesday because she was ill with acute sinusitis.

    But we’re now hearing that she’s recovered well and intends to play a full part in the US state visit, where she’ll be greeting the visitors alongside the King.

    The Queen is going to be in the carriage parade. The only change will be that the rainy weather means the carriage will be covered over.

  19. Windsor Castle surrounded by 'steel shield'published at 11:38 BST 17 September

    Rajini Vaidyanathan
    Reporting from Windsor

    Windsor Castle is seen in the distance, beyond a large "ring of steel" security fence surrounding sections of the Long Walk, ahead of the State Visit later this weekImage source, Getty Images

    A fortified barrier, dubbed the "steel shield", has been set up around the perimeter of much of the grounds at Windsor Castle.

    Windsor has never seen security quite like this, despite playing host to countless dignitaries and heads of state over the years.