Specialist police are conducting extensive security searches throughout Windsor ahead of Donald Trump's state visit to Britain. The searches focus on bollards, bins and drains around the royal residence as heightened security preparations continue.
The US President's two-day trip begins on Wednesday and includes an overnight stay at Windsor Castle. Trump's second state visit represents an unprecedented gesture for a US president and is expected to spark mass protests by the Stop Trump Coalition in Windsor and London.
The visit will have no public-facing element during the president's time at the royal residence. Security will be heightened throughout his stay as authorities prepare for potential demonstrations.
Security preparations intensify
Specialist Search Unit officers have been photographed scouring the area outside Windsor Castle on Friday, with sniffer dogs on patrol. The thorough security sweeps will continue daily until Trump's visit concludes.
Sergeant Amber Timmis from Thames Valley Police said Windsor residents will see ongoing searches by officers. "Being in Thames Valley Police, we've got lots of people that live here of a royal variety, so just making sure that everyone is safe is something we do quite often, so we're very used to it, very adept in that, and very experienced," she said.
Asked how recent security breaches in the US influenced their preparations, Sgt Timmis, who manages a team as a police search adviser, said: "We do what we do, we already have a clear strategy and a clear message from our side of things."
Royal reception details
The Prince and Princess of Wales will meet Trump and first lady Melania Trump on Wednesday morning in the Windsor estate grounds. They will then accompany the presidential couple to meet the King and Queen for an open-air greeting.
Trump will receive a fly-past by the Red Arrows and UK and US F-35 military jets on the East Lawn at Windsor Castle on Wednesday. The visit will also feature a special Beating Retreat military ceremony alongside the traditional grand state banquet and ceremonial welcome.
The Red Arrows and Beating Retreat have never been deployed before at a state visit. These unprecedented elements will mark the exceptional nature of Trump's second state visit to Britain.
Trump's carriage ride will be confined to Home Park with no public element during his first day at Windsor Castle. In contrast to French President Emmanuel Macron's previous visit, the Trumps will not take a carriage ride through the town or visit the Grave of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
