‎Trump, Melania’s Regal UK State visit: Pomp, protests, diplomacy‎

By Chioma Obinagwam
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‎President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived in Britain on September 17 for a historic second state visit, marking a rare honour for a U.S. leader in their second term.
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‎Confiance News gathered from the official X handle of the White House on Wednesday.
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‎Hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle, the three-day trip from September 17 to 19 underscores the enduring U.S.-UK alliance amid global tensions.
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‎The visit’s primary purpose, Confiance News learnt, is diplomatic reinforcement. Trump is set to meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers to discuss trade, NATO commitments, and the Ukraine conflict.

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‎Key outcomes include a £750 million deal for Palantir’s military AI technology, boosting UK defense capabilities. Trump hailed the trip as “one of the highest honours of my life” during a lavish state banquet on Wednesday evening, where he toasted the “special” transatlantic bond.
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‎King Charles praised Trump’s “personal commitment” to resolving world conflicts in his address, attended by royals like Catherine, Princess of Wales, and VIPs including Apple CEO Tim Cook. The day featured a carriage procession, a Red Arrows flypast, and a wreath-laying at Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb in St. George’s Chapel.
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‎Melania Trump turned heads in a strapless yellow Carolina Herrera gown, ditching her signature hat for an elegant, off-the-shoulder look. However, her decision not to curtsy to the royals sparked online debate, though protocol experts note it’s not required for foreign dignitaries.
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‎Reactions have been sharply divided. Protests erupted in London, with the Stop Trump Coalition chanting “No to racism, no to Trump!” in Parliament Square. Activists from Led by Donkeys projected a massive image of Trump with Jeffrey Epstein on Windsor Castle’s walls, reigniting scandal controversies.
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‎A petition to cancel the visit garnered 250,000 signatures, fueled by Epstein links and Trump’s past remarks. On X (formerly Twitter), users mocked the event, with one quipping about Trump reminiscing with Prince Andrew, while others lamented Reform UK leader Nigel Farage’s snub from the banquet despite his Trump ties.
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‎Supporters, however, celebrated the pomp. Late-night host Jimmy Fallon roasted the visit humorously, highlighting Trump’s affinity for grandeur. As the Trumps depart Friday, the trip reaffirms special relations but exposes lingering divides.

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