A major part of Donald Trump’s state visit has been altered thanks to the ever-reliable British weather.
This afternoon’s flypast has been cancelled due to the conditions in Windsor. Skies above Windsor are thick with clouds that threaten heavy rainfall. It is understood that the joint flypast of both UK and US F-35 fighter jets, which had been due to roar over the Castle will no longer take to the skies. However, the Red Arrows are still expected to go ahead.
In a major first for a state visit, the President and First Lady will still join The King and Queen, The Prime Minister and Lady Starmer and US and British military families to view a Beating Retreat ceremony on the East Lawn of Windsor Castle.
Before they moved on to watch the Red Arrows, the President and First Lady arrived at the Galilee Porch entrance to St George’s Chapel to privately pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth by laying a wreath at her tomb.
They then heard a performance by a group of young choristers and toured the chapel, which is the resting place of 11 monarchs, including Henry VIII.
Earlier in the day, after being welcomed to Windsor by a grand military parade, the Presidential couple joined the King, Queen and other members of the Royal Family to view treasures from the Royal Collection which have links to the US.
Among items on display is a first edition of The General Historie of Virginia by John Smith from 1624 and a letter to Lord North from George III about the ‘State of Rebellion’ in the American Colonies.
Before they viewed the historic items, the group sat down for a lunch in the State Dining Room. It is understood that only six members of the Royal Family joined the US President for lunch – the King, Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
They were also joined by Mr Trump’s entourage and James Roscoe, who is the new interim ambassador to the US in place of Lord Mandelson, and the King’s key aides.
The Duchess of Edinburgh has left for an overseas tour in Japan and the Duke of Edinburgh is also away on a foreign trip. The Princess Royal was also not at the lunch.