Starmer faces protests, scandals and deep policy rifts as Trump lands for rare UK state visit

Donald Trump’s second UK state visit is billed as a show of royal pageantry and political prestige — yet behind the carefully orchestrated spectacle lies a minefield of risk for both Downing Street and Buckingham Palace.

Trump arrives on Wednesday for a whirlwind two-day schedule, only the fourth US president in history to receive such honours. His first state visit in 2019 was marred by protests, insults aimed at Sadiq Khan, and an infamous “Trump Baby” blimp floating over London. This week could prove equally combustible.

The sacking of Lord Peter Mandelson as Britain’s US ambassador, over his connections to Jeffrey Epstein, has already cast a long shadow. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will inevitably face questions at Thursday’s press conference about why Mandelson was appointed in the first place, and why he lingered in post despite the revelations. Diplomats quietly fear Trump could even offer an opinion on Mandelson’s replacement, creating an awkward scene for No 10.

Security has transformed Windsor Castle into what locals are calling “Trumpton” — a fortress ringed with barriers, troops and helicopters. More than 1,300 soldiers and 120 horses will take part in ceremonies, a display larger than that afforded to President Macron earlier this year. Every detail, from seating plans at the state banquet to the King’s seven-minute speech, has been painstakingly drafted. The challenge is to make Trump feel indulged, despite his brief 48-hour stay and the absence of stops at Downing Street or Parliament.

Officials insist the Trumps were “warm and solicitous guests” in 2019, and believe both sides want this visit to succeed. Yet they know Trump thrives on spectacle. “For him it’s all about TV,” one Whitehall source admitted. “This is theatre.”

For Starmer, the stakes are more serious. He hopes to secure a deal excluding British steel and aluminium from US tariffs, along with a major technology partnership involving artificial intelligence and quantum research. Civil nuclear cooperation is also on the table. Ministers want to present these as wins for Britain’s economy, justifying the royal hoopla.

But profound policy differences remain. The US strongly opposes Britain’s expected recognition of Palestinian statehood, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledging to fight such moves as “rewarding Hamas terrorism”. Trump’s critics in the UK will also point to his continued unpopularity. A July YouGov poll found only 16% of Britons view him positively, raising the question of whether this state visit is worth the political cost.

Protests are once again planned, echoing those of six years ago. Activists say Trump should not be honoured with royal pageantry while his administration holds positions so starkly opposed to British policy on NATO, Ukraine, and the Middle East.

Beyond the demonstrations, there are quieter concerns within royal circles. Some insiders worry the government has used the monarchy too transactionally, exploiting King Charles’s presence to deliver political goals. “The Palace can draw people in, in a way Whitehall cannot,” one courtier observed, “but there is a risk of crossing the line into politicising the Crown.”

For now, organisers cling to the hope that Trump will leave Britain satisfied, posing happily alongside the King, Queen, and Prince of Wales before Air Force One lifts off on Thursday night. Yet even if the visit avoids major mishaps, doubts remain about its timing. “This is very early in Trump’s presidency,” one diplomat warned. “Have we played our King too soon? What do we do for an encore?”