Donald Trump meets Queen Elizabeth II on state visit - NBC News

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June 3, 2019, 8:18 AM UTC / Updated June 3, 2019, 1:47 PM UTC

By Jonathan Allen

LONDON — Arriving to a royal welcome from the British monarch and government and a collective raspberry from much of the public, President Donald Trump landed in England Monday morning for his first official state visit to the U.K. — one that comes directly on the heels of the American president injecting himself into British domestic politics.

In addition to weighing into a race for the prime minister's job and negotiations over "Brexit" this weekend, Trump managed to ruffle British feathers while he was on Air Force One Monday. In a pair of tweets sent just before he stepped off the plane, Trump continued his public feud with London mayor Sadiq Khan, who wrote a scathing comment piece about Trump in a weekend newspaper.

....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

A mostly ceremonial trip that will wrap up in France with the 75th anniversary of the Allies storming the beach at Normandy, Trump's visit promises to mix in statecraft at the margins of an official schedule full of pomp.

It was the latter on the menu at Buckingham Palace, where the president and First Lady Melania Trump made their first official stop shortly after noon local time. Touching down in Marine One on the sweeping garden beneath the West Terrace of Queen Elizabeth II's residence and administrative headquarters, the Trumps were greeted by Charles, Prince of Wales, and Camilla Parker Bowles, the Duchess of Cornwall.

They took a short walk to a covered entryway, where the queen, wearing a chartreuse dress and matching hat, shook their hands and smiled before leading the first couple inside. The five-person party re-emerged a few minutes later for a welcoming ceremony led by the Guard of Honour, which played American standards such as the national anthem,"The U.S. Air Force," "The U.S. Army Goes Rolling Along" and "The Marines' Hymn."

The Trumps were invited to stay for a luncheon and a review of royal gifts.

Later, they planned to visit Westminster Abbey, the site of coronations and royal weddings, as well as the final resting spot of 17 monarchs, Isaac Newton, Stephen Hawking and Charles Darwin. After tea with Charles and Bowles, they'll return to Buckingham Palace for a state banquet in the evening.

The main events are intended to demonstrate the closeness of the "special relationship" between the two countries.

"Our relationship has underpinned our countries’ security and prosperity for many years — and will continue to do so for generations to come," Prime Minister Theresa May said in a statement.

But Trump's decision to insert himself into British politics — and his use of the word "nasty" in conjunction with Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle — created new tension just before his departure. Trump endorsed nationalist-leaning former London Mayor Boris Johnson in the Conservative Party race to succeed May, who is stepping down Friday.

Though not out of character for Trump, the decision to intervene in a factional contest in a foreign country was a rare move for an American president. He has also urged Britain to walk away from talks to smooth its exit from the European Union if it doesn't like the deal on the table.

Trump plans to meet Tuesday with May in the main policy-focused event of his trip. British and American experts say they expect trade and security issues to be at the forefront of their discussion.

Jonathan Allen

Jonathan Allen is a Washington-based national political reporter for NBC News who focuses on the presidency.

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