Four arrested after Trump Epstein images and letter projected on Windsor Castle before state visit

Windsor Castle became the backdrop to an extraordinary act of protest on Tuesday night, just hours before Donald Trump’s arrival in Britain for his second state visit. Images of the US president alongside the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were projected onto one of the castle’s towers, prompting a swift police response and multiple arrests.

The stunt unfolded in the shadow of Trump’s latest diplomatic spectacle, where he is set to be hosted by King Charles. The president landed in the UK late on Tuesday, with Wednesday reserved for a day of royal pageantry at Windsor Castle, situated roughly 25 miles west of London. Yet before the official welcomes could begin, protesters seized the spotlight in dramatic fashion.

Witnesses reported seeing a giant banner unfurled earlier in the day near the castle, displaying a photograph of Trump and Epstein together. As night fell, the protest escalated. Projected against the ancient stone of the castle walls were several striking images of the pair, along with text and documents linked to Epstein’s history of abuse.

Police moved quickly once the display became visible. In a statement, officers confirmed that four adults were arrested on suspicion of malicious communications following what they described as an “unauthorised projection.” The individuals, whose identities have not been released, remain in custody as investigations continue. Authorities characterised the incident as a “public stunt” but acknowledged the scale and visibility of the act.

Among the images projected was a contentious letter that has recently reignited debate in Washington. Last week, Democrats in the US House of Representatives released a birthday note allegedly written by Trump to Epstein more than two decades ago. The White House has firmly rejected its authenticity, but the publication has nevertheless reignited scrutiny of Trump’s past links to Epstein.

The letter, which was also cast across the castle walls, contains a crude sketch of a naked female silhouette, along with a purported dialogue between Trump and Epstein. In the exchange, Trump allegedly refers to Epstein as a “pal” and signs off with the line: “May every day be another wonderful secret.”

Also projected were photographs of Epstein’s victims, news reports about his crimes, and extracts from police documents. By combining personal notes with evidence of abuse, the protesters aimed to drive home a message that has haunted Trump for years: the enduring question of how much he knew about Epstein’s activities, and the extent of their relationship.

Trump and Epstein were known to be associates in social circles long before Trump entered politics. However, Trump has insisted he severed ties years before Epstein’s 2019 death in prison, officially ruled a suicide. Despite this distancing, references to their connection continue to surface at politically sensitive moments.

The incident at Windsor Castle underscores how Epstein’s legacy remains a potent weapon in the political and public arena. While Trump has repeatedly urged his supporters and critics alike to move past the issue, public appetite for further revelations shows little sign of waning.

As the president prepares to take part in the ceremonial splendour of a royal state visit, the protest serves as a stark reminder that his controversial past associations remain very much alive in the public consciousness. For those behind the projection, the castle’s historic walls offered a canvas not just for protest, but for amplifying one of the most contentious narratives dogging Trump’s political career.

For the authorities, however, the projection has become a matter of law and order, raising questions about security, free expression, and the boundaries of political protest during high-profile state occasions.