US President Donald Trump has arrived in Britain for an unprecedented second state visit at which the two nations will seal investment deals and renew a "special relationship" Prime Minister Keir Starmer is keen to champion.
Mr Trump and his wife Melania landed on Air Force One at Stansted Airport north of London at around 9pm this evening.
The US president subsequently travelled by helicopeter to Winfield House, the American ambassador to the UK's residence, in Regent’s Park, central London.
Mr Trump told reporters that ambassador Warren Stephens was "doing really well" and said the "relationships are great".
Asked about his feelings towards the UK, he said: "I love it. I love Turnberry, I love Aberdeen.
"I have a lot of things here that warm my heart. I want to tell you. It’s a very special place."
Talking about his relationship with King Charles, he said: "He’s been a friend of mine for a long time, and everybody respects him, and they love him."
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and British finance minister Rachel Reeves led events before Mr Trump's arrival, announcing a "Transatlantic taskforce" to deepen work between two of the world's largest financial centres.
Mr Trump will be greeted by King Charles tomorrow, for a day of pomp at Windsor Castle, a regal show of soft power that Mr Starmer hopes will offer him protection from possible pitfalls during the trip.
During his stay, Mr Trump will also visit the British Prime Minister's country retreat Chequers.
Police in Windsor, around 32 kilometres west of London were on standby to respond to potential "very high threat level" incidents, with many taking part in anti-Trump protests in Windsor and London.
While security is generally heightened during carefully choreographed state visits, Mr Trump's trip comes days after his far-right ally Charlie Kirk was shot dead at a university in Utah, prompting further fears of political violence in the United States.
Mr Trump himself survived two assassination attempts during his US presidential election campaign in 2024.
The US Secret Service - which has been coordinating with the UK's domestic intelligence service MI5 and police forces - will be allowed to carry guns when in Britain, according to the BBC.
"I'm very content that we have planned a very comprehensive policing and security operation that has taken into consideration just about every eventuality of what could happen," said Windsor's assistant chief constable Christian Bunt.
In a break from previous royal events, steel barricades have been thrown up blocking the public view and access of the Long Walk avenue leading to Windsor Castle, where Mr Trump is due to stay tomorrow night.
Some British media highlighted that it was the UK's largest security operation since Charles' coronation in 2023.
Drones and boats
Thames Valley Police secured Windsor from the skies and water ahead of the whirlwind trip, with a temporary airspace ban over the southeast English town and boat patrols on the River Thames.
One drone pilot was arrested in Windsor for breaching the restriction.
A marine unit deployed on Windsor's river and riverbanks was "part of a wide range of security measures in place, many of which will be visible to the public and others which will not", police said.
US Vice President JD Vance was criticised by locals when he visited rural England on holiday in August for bringing with him a large motorcade, road closures and ID checks.
The Metropolitan Police is gearing for a protest scheduled in London on tomorrow, which thousands are expected to attend.
Mr Trump, whose last state visit in 2019 was dogged by demonstrations, is set to skip the British capital entirely this time and will remain largely out of the public view.
Back in 2019, Mr Trump was hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth.
The visit comes less than a week after the UK's Ambassador to the US, Peter Mandelson, was sacked due to emails he sent to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Yesterday, the group 'Everyone Hates Elon' unfurled a large canvas depicting a picture of Mr Trump posing with Epstein.
However, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has made significant efforts to build close ties with Mr Trump.
He will hope that this state visit only serves to strengthen the so-called "special relationship".
Additional reporting Tommie Meskill, PA
