Trump UK visit live: Royals meet President at Windsor as thousands plan protest

James Roscoe, the UK’s charge d’affaires in Washington, was seen at Windsor taking a picture of the spectacle during Donald Trump’s visit.

Mr Roscoe is the most senior diplomat at the embassy in Washington following Lord Mandelson’s sacking as ambassador over the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

Veteran public servant Mr Roscoe has held a string of senior roles both within government and the royal household.

Kate gave Donald Trump a broad smile as they shook hands at Windsor Castle.

The four – the Trumps and the Waleses then walked side by side – with William and Mr Trump chatting in the middle of the group, with the US president holding his wife Melania’s hand – towards the front of Victoria House where the King and Queen were waiting.

William was heard to say, “This is my father” to Mr Trump as they approached the King, as Charles gestured with a small wave of his hand.

Mr Trump shook hands with the King and the pair chatted enthusiastically together, with the president also placing his hand on Charles’s arm as they shook hands.

The King and Queen and the President and First Lady took their places on the dais and Lt Col Green ordered: “Royal salute, present arms.”

The state colours were lowered and the national anthem of the US played as the President saluted and the First Lady placed her hand on her chest.

Lt Col Green invited the President to inspect the guard saying: “Mr President, the guard of honour of the Grenadier Guards, the Coldstream Guards and the Scots Guards are present and ready for your inspection.”

Donald Trump landed on the Windsor estate at 12.14pm – nearly 20 minutes later than expected.

Shortly after, the Prince and Princess of Wales emerged from Victoria House where they had been waiting and made their way side-by-side across the grass to Marine One

​Kate was dressed in a burgundy Emilia Wickstead dress, matching hat by Jane Taylor and wearing a feather brooch.

As Mr Trump stepped from the aircraft, William and Kate waited at the bottom of the step to greet him.

The president shook hands warmly with William and patted the heir to the throne affectionately on his right arm.

Kate then shook hands with Mr Trump with the pair chatting throughout.

Melania, wearing a wide brimmed purple hat which obscured her eyes, was also welcomed by the Waleses.

The royal carriage procession has arrived for the full ceremonial welcome in the Windsor Castle quadrangle with the largest ever guard of honour for such an occasion.

The state colours of the Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards and Scots Guards are assembled to greet the party of the King and Donald Trump – the first time that three state colours, rather than just one, will be on parade at such an occasion.

The carriage procession carrying the King and US president travelled through the George IV gate and swept into Windsor Castle’s quadrangle.

Waiting in the centre of the grass-covered square was the unprecedented guard of honour, believed to be the largest assembled in living memory.

It was drawn from three of the British Army’s most prestigious regiments – Coldstream, Scots and Grenadier Guards – each with their own captain and state colour.

Behind them were the Massed Bands of The Household Division and the Massed Pipes and Drums who played the American national anthem followed by the British as the carriages approached the royal dais.

The King and the US president could be seen engaged in conversation as the carriage procession set off.

The Queen and the First Lady were in the following carriage, and could also be seen deep in discussion.

The Prince and Princess of Wales followed in the coach behind, and as the carriages proceeded along the route, the American and British national anthems were played.

The Trumps joined the King and Queen and William and Kate for a carriage procession through the Windsor estate towards the castle.

Eighty soldiers from the House Cavalry Mounted Regiment formed the Sovereign’s Escort travelling with the carriages, with the Life Guards dressed in their red tunics and white plumed helmets and Blues and Royals in their blue tunics and red plumes.

The processional route, which was not open to the public, was lined by 22 half-companies of personnel from throughout the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the British Army and the Royal Air Force.

Making their way to the castle, the Trumps are expected to pass not far from Frogmore House, where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had their evening wedding reception, and also close to Frogmore Cottage, briefly home to Harry and Meghan before they quit the working monarchy and moved to America.