President Trump arrives in UK for state visit

President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump landed at Stansted Airport on Tuesday evening

US President Donald Trump arrived in London on Tuesday night on his plane Air Force One, for his second state visit to the UK.

It's a formal trip by a head of state and normally at the invitation of the King, who acts on advice from the government.

Mr Trump is only the third US president to make a state visit to the UK, and the only president ever to have been invited for a second one.

He is joined by First Lady Melania Trump and they spent the night at Winfield House - the home of the US ambassador to the UK since 1955.

The first part of the state visit officially begins on Wednesday, with President Trump calling it "a big day" as he is set to meet King Charles in Windsor Castle.

Before leaving the US, Mr Trump told reporters about his relationship with King Charles III, who he calls "my friend".

The president said the king is "such an elegant gentleman" who "represents the country so well".

There have already been some small protests in Windsor with anti-Trump placards. Some people disagree with his position on a number of issues, particularly on Israel and Gaza.

Mr Trump and the king have met on a number of occasions

The president and his wife will be hosted at Windsor Castle, as the typical venue, Buckingham Palace, is currently undergoing renovations.

Trump's last state visit in 2019 was held at Buckingham Palace, hosted by Queen Elizabeth II, so this one will have quite a different feel.

The event will include a full ceremonial welcome and a state banquet in St George's Hall, Windsor Castle.

All senior members of the Royal Family will be involved, including the Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales.

Sir Keir Starmer delivered the King's invite to the US President back in February

This state visit is designed to improve UK-US relations and cement the government's relationship with Mr Trump as a political ally.

On Thursday the president will travel to the prime minister's country house Chequers, in Buckinghamshire, for a meeting with Sir Keir Starmer.

They will view the Sir Winston Churchill archives before holding a meeting and a press conference.

Melania Trump will remain at Windsor Castle where she will tour the Royal Library and see Queen Mary's Dolls' House, a famous miniature palace built in the 1920s.

She will also meet Chief Scout Dwayne Fields with Catherine, who is joint president of the Scout Association.

Mrs Trump will then join her husband at Chequers before they return to the US.