Trump UK visit live: King and president enjoy military ceremony at Windsor Castle ahead of lavish state banquet

Lieutenant Colonel Simon Soskin of the Grenadier Guards said the King and Donald Trump were “grateful” after the Beating Retreat.

Lt Col Soskin, who was tasked with planning the ceremony, told the PA news agency: “We were asked to put on a spectacular performance to end the day of welcoming and so we pulled in our three bands, one for each service, invited the Americans, sprinkled in some bagpipers and it came together very well.”

Asked what the King and US president said to the gathered military personnel who watched the ceremony, Lt Col Soskin said: “They took a few moments to say hello.

“I said hello to the president on the way past, which I like because my family are American, so I’ll be telling my parents later.

“They were grateful, I think, the President was really pleased to see the junior American service personnel.”

Comedian Nish Kumar, who is hosting a rally in Parliament Square against Donald Trump’s second state visit, said last week’s Unite the Kingdom protest puts the UK in “an incredibly scary position”.

He said he is “incredibly scared right now” but urged protesters to come together before leading a chant of “say it loud, say it clear, Donald Trump’s not welcome here”.

“We have a common aim, there are more of us than there are of them, let’s not give up this fight,” Kumar said.

Former Labour MP Zara Sultana also referred to Saturday’s protests.

She said protesters “marched with the backing of international figures of the far right”, and included Mr Trump among them.

Donald Trump reached over to the King and gently patted him on the arm after the Red Arrows went over.

The King and Queen and US president and first lady all looked up as the aircraft flew over.

They then applauded and Mr Trump smiled and leaned towards Charles, spoke to him and patted him on the arm.

The pair then spoke to military personnel who were sat on their left while Camilla and Melania Trump spoke to those on the other side.

As protesters against Donald Trump’s second state visit gathered in Parliament Square for a rally, musician and activist Billy Bragg performed on the stage.

Before the 67-year-old sang his protest song Hundred Year Hunger, he told crowds that Mr Trump could end the war in Gaza with “one word”.

The rally is set to hear from a range of speakers, with public order conditions restricting attendees to Parliament Square and Whitehall.

Crowds of spectators outside Windsor Castle cheered as the Red Arrows flew over the royal residence.

A small group of people shouted “U.S.A” as red, white and blue smoke filled the skies above Windsor Castle during the flypast.

The Independent’s Maira Butt reports from the anti-Trump march in London:

Thousands have gathered in central London to protest US President Donald Trump’s historic second state visit.

While pomp and pageantry were rolled out at Windsor Castle with supporters lining the streets, the country’s capital had a more irreverent response.

Palestine flags and pro-Palestine placards dominated the gathering, with several individuals dressed up as the American leader, complete with heavily orange tans and voluminous blonde wigs. One woman was dressed as “The Statue of Taking Liberties” while another held a spike with a pig’s head and MAGA hat. Donald Trump impersonators were plentiful. One woman dragged an effigy of the President through the streets.

The march was upbeat and light-hearted for the most part with drums, music and slogans blasted throughout, with several groups dancing.

Several banners referred to the Epstein files and chants of “Free Palestine” and “Donald Trump, you’re a clown. You’re not welcome in our town” could be heard throughout the march to Parliament Square.

There was a heavy police presence with the Met Police confirming 1,600 officers had been deployed including the assistance of 500 from forces outside London.

Clashes between protestors included at least one person who attended Tommy Robinson’s right-wing rally last week shouting at protestors that they were “Boring!” and was promptly dubbed a “fascist” in response. Another man sat at a pop-up table that said simply “We love Trump”, calling himself a “lone voice for Donald Trump and Charlie Kirk”.

The King appeared to point out the Old Guard Fifes and Drums to Donald Trump as the US Army Band moved towards them from their right.

Charles was seen exchanging a smile with the US President, who then turned to the First Lady.