AFP |
Donald Trump hailed Queen Elizabeth II as a “great, great woman” as the British monarch threw a lavish banquet for the US president on Monday to kick off his three-day state visit.
The Trump dynasty sat down to a glittering dinner with the British royal family in the Buckingham Palace ballroom as the UK rolled out the red carpet.
The President and Mrs Trump stand with The Queen, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall as the US and UK national anthems are played at the start of the #USStateVisit 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/BCUjwIpTk2
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 3, 2019
Both Trump and the 93-year-old sovereign praised the common bond between Britain and the United States.
But the warmth was not shared all around, with mass protests planned for Tuesday, opposition political figures boycotting the banquet and the trip starting with a spat between Trump and London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
If you believe that it's wrong that there is gender inequality, that women earn less than men, that women are still discriminated against in 2019, then you're a feminist.
It's so important that people in positions of power, men & women, speak out & champion gender equality. pic.twitter.com/21ofQqi8ta
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) June 3, 2019
Trump’s visit is centered on the 75th anniversary of D-Day and the liberation of Europe in World War II.
“As we honor our shared victory and heritage, we affirm the common values that will unite us long into future,” he said at the banquet.
President @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS are guests of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace with The @RoyalFamily! pic.twitter.com/JS4ZCWP1xa
— The White House 45 Archived (@WhiteHouse45) June 3, 2019
“Freedom, sovereignty, self-determination, the rule of law and reverence for the rights given to us by Almighty God.”
He said Queen Elizabeth was a “great, great woman, a constant symbol of these priceless traditions”, who embodied British “dignity, duty and patriotism”.
The UK-US “special relationship” was already under strain over different approaches to Iran, the use of Chinese technology in 5G networks, climate change, and Trump’s personal politics
Queen Elizabeth said Britain and the United States had built post-war international institutions for “nations working together to safeguard a hard-won peace”.
The monarch said the two nations were united by their security, shared heritage, strong cultural links and strong economic ties. “I am confident that our common values and shared interests will continue to unite us.”
Great Love All Around
The British sovereign earlier welcomed Trump and his wife Melania with a military guard of honor on a day filled with ceremony and personal touches.
The monarch hosted a private lunch for the couple and showed them the royal art collection, ahead of the glittering banquet.
The Queen, President Trump and the First Lady view a display of items from the Royal Collection illustrating the enduring relationship between the US and the UK. #USStateVisit pic.twitter.com/gPuI5Ziab6
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 3, 2019
Trump seemed to be enjoying the visit, taking to Twitter during his downtime. “London part of trip is going really well. The Queen and the entire royal family have been fantastic. The relationship with the United Kingdom is very strong,” he said.
Read more: UK, EU end Brexit talks with no sign of breakthrough
“Haven’t seen any protests yet, but I’m sure the fake news will be working hard to find them. Great love all around.”
….Fake News will be working hard to find them. Great love all around. Also, big Trade Deal is possible once U.K. gets rid of the shackles. Already starting to talk!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2019
But the day began with controversy as, even before his plane touched down, the president lambasted Khan, who on Sunday revived their spat by comparing Trump to 20th-century fascists.
Trump, in return, called him a “stone cold loser” who had done a “terrible job” as London mayor.
….Kahn reminds me very much of our very dumb and incompetent Mayor of NYC, de Blasio, who has also done a terrible job – only half his height. In any event, I look forward to being a great friend to the United Kingdom, and am looking very much forward to my visit. Landing now!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2019
Eight members of the Trump dynasty were at the state banquet, with the four eldest of Trump’s five children joining 16 members of the royal family and business chiefs at the U-shaped table.
They dined on a steamed fillet of halibut followed by saddle of new season Windsor lamb, strawberry sable with lemon verbena cream and fresh fruit.
Protests Planned
Trump’s visit comes at a difficult time for Britain, with Theresa May due to step down as prime minister within weeks, over her handling of Brexit.
Trump weighed in on the impasse at the weekend, saying he would walk away if he could not get a deal he liked. “Big trade deal is possible once UK gets rid of the shackles. Already starting to talk!” he tweeted Monday.
The UK-US “special relationship” was already under strain over different approaches to Iran, the use of Chinese technology in 5G networks, climate change, and Trump’s personal politics.
Read more: Britain’s FM urges caution over Huawei role in 5G network
May announced her impending resignation last month after failing to get her Brexit plan through parliament and twice delaying Britain’s departure. Trump’s first official visit to Britain last year was also marked by criticism of May’s Brexit strategy and large protests.
Demonstration organizers are hoping for a repeat of the protests on Tuesday during which they will once again fly a bright orange “baby Trump” balloon.
As London braces for Trump's arrival, Sky News makes hilarious use of baby blimp #TrumpCalledMeghanMarkleNasty https://t.co/wZ11QYYzLa
— Scott Dworkin (@funder) June 2, 2019
Labour’s main opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn boycotted the state banquet, along with other opposition leaders and John Bercow, the speaker of parliament’s lower House of Commons.
Corbyn instead made a last-minute decision to speak at Tuesday’s anti-Trump demonstrations, calling them “an opportunity to stand in solidarity with those he’s attacked”, including Khan.
Tomorrow's protest against Donald Trump's state visit is an opportunity to stand in solidarity with those he's attacked in America, around the world and in our own country – including, just this morning, @SadiqKhan.
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) June 3, 2019
On Wednesday, May and Trump will join other world leaders in the English port of Portsmouth to commemorate 75 years since the D-Day landings, which changed the course of World War II.
AFP with additional input by GVS news desk