Donald Trump: Windsor state visit begins as eyes of the world watch on

The eyes of the world watched on as US President Donald Trump arrived in Windsor for an historic visit today.

Britain rolled out its finest pomp and pageantry for the occasion - the first time any United States President has been invited to the country for a second state visit.  

President Trump travelled to Windsor in his helicopter Marine One, which touched down in the castle grounds at just after 12.10pm.

The President and his wife, the First Lady Melania Trump, were welcomed on the lawn outside Victoria House by the Prince and Princess of Wales William and Kate.

They were then met by King Charles III and Queen Camilla before boarding a carriage procession as a Royal Gun salute sounded off in the distance.

Queen Camilla and Melania Trump, the First Lady of the United States of America. 

King Charles and President Trump were seated in the leading carriage, known as the Irish Stage Coach, while Queen Camilla and Melania Trump were in the following Scottish Stage Coach.

Royal Marines, Army and RAF forces lined the route while a marching band from the Grenadier Guards and Scots Guards played the United States’ national anthem and then that of England.

A guard of honour featuring the Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards and Scots Guards greeted the procession upon its arrival at the Quadrangle in Windsor Castle just after 12.30pm.

King Charles, Queen Camilla, President Trump and Melania Trump then posed on the Royal Dias looking over the spectacular display, which will have been planned in meticulous detail.  

President Trump saluted the soldiers gathered in front of him while the massed bands of the Foot Guards and the Pipes and Drums performed a rendition of the US national anthem.

William and Kate, the Prince and Princess of Wales, met the Trumps as they stepped off Marine One.

Along with the King, the President was offered an opportunity to inspect the immaculately dressed soldiers wearing scarlet and gold uniforms and black bearskin hats.

Mounted troops of the Royal Horse Artillery proceeded through the Quadrangle towing the same guns that had fired the Royal Salute at Trump’s arrival in Windsor.

The armed forces personnel gathered in meticulous uniformity on the lawn in front of the dignitaries continued the display, as bagpipes played the iconic Scotland The Brave.  

While the music continued, the dignitaries made their way into the castle itself and – and away from the view of the onlooking eyes of the global media.

Later today, President Trump and the First Lady will visit the tomb of the late Queen Elizabeth II to lay a wreath.

They will also meet UK Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer where a flypast of UK and US F-35 fighter jets and the Royal Arrows will soar overhead.

In the evening, President Trump will be treated to a state banquet at the castle where King Charles and his US counterpart are both expected to deliver speeches.