Protesting and extravagant ceremony accompany Trump's visit to Windsor, with his past association with Jeffrey Epstein adding controversy.
US President Donald Trump's second state visit to the United Kingdom is marked by the absence of Prince Andrew, King Charles' younger brother, and a series of controversial protests. The royal family is distancing itself from Prince Andrew, given the possibility of more incriminating evidence being revealed as the US House Committee releases thousands of Epstein files.
Prince Andrew reached an out-of-court settlement with Virginia Giuffre in 2022, which contained no admission of liability or apology. Giuffre, one of Jeffrey Epstein's most prominent accusers, had alleged that Epstein had introduced her to Prince Andrew when she was 17, and that the latter had sexually abused her three times. However, the palace remains silent on the matter.
The late Queen Elizabeth II had stripped Prince Andrew of his His Royal Highness (HRH) and military titles and removed him from public-facing duties after his 2019 BBC interview. The political climate surrounding the royal family has been tense, with the possibility of more revelations looming.
Meanwhile, outside Windsor Castle, protesters from the Stop Trump Coalition gathered to voice their opposition to the US president. About 70 demonstrators were present, aiming to send a signal to the British government that this is not how the British people feel about Trump.
One of the most notable protests was the unveiling of a large photo of Trump and Epstein just outside Windsor Castle by an activist group called Everyone Hates Elon. Four people were arrested on suspicion of 'malicious communications' following the public stunt.
The political campaign group Led By Donkeys also joined in the protests, projecting images of Trump and Jeffrey Epstein onto Windsor Castle. A spokesperson for the group stated that the US president's 'incredibly close links to America's most notorious child sex trafficker' should be discussed.
In a stark contrast to his previous visits, the 'Trump Baby' blimp, a popular protest artifact, will not be making an appearance this time. The blimp, developed and created by Matt Bonner, was a staple during Trump's previous visits, often depicting him as an angry, nappy-wearing baby. The man behind the blimp, Leo Murray, feels that the political climate is different today, and it is 'not really a laughing matter anymore.'
After the 2019 protests, people involved with the blimp had received death threats and were tracked down at their places of work by far-right activists. The 'Trump Baby' blimp now belongs to the Museum of London and will be unveiled next year when the museum opens its new home.
As the state visit continues, the controversies surrounding Prince Andrew and the protests against Trump continue to dominate headlines, casting a shadow over the official events.
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