KING Charles and Donald Trump have been spotted sharing a private joke which left the pair in fits of laughter.
The monarch has welcomed the US President at his Windsor estate today during a historic second state visit to the UK.
King Charles and US President Donald Trump inspect the guard of honour[/caption]
The pair shared a laugh as they looked at one the guards’ swords[/caption]
Charles sweeps back his hair as he and Trump laugh[/caption]
The pair leaned in close during their joke[/caption]
Follow The Sun’s live blog on the state visit here.
A formal ceremonial welcome in the castle quadrangle featured the largest ever Guard of Honour for such an occasion.
Footage shows Charles and Trump sharing their chuckle as they inspected the guards.
The King smiled as he looked up at a guard’s sword and told the President “watch the sword” before they both laughed.
A lip reader also told The Sun that Trump greeted earlier Prince William as “my friend” before saying to Kate: “Hello, beautiful.”
The President asked after the Wales children, with William replying that they’re doing well and are at school.
Trump then said: “It’s been a while since you chatted with me.”
The Duke commented to the Duchess “he has missed our little chats,” before responding: “We can talk now you’re here on a visit.”
Royal welcome
Trump and First Lady Melania had been greeted by Kate and William as they touched down at Windsor.
Eagle-eyed fans spotted that the couple had co-ordinated their outfits, with the President’s tie matching the colour of his wife’s hat.
They were dropped off by Marine One before walking to Victoria House with the Waleses where they were met by the King and Queen Camilla.
A royal salute was then fired from six First World War-era guns on the east lawn of Windsor Castle and at the Tower of London.
Pomp and pageantry was out in full force with the scale and spectacle of the military ceremonial on show for Trump unprecedented.
The American couple joined the royals for a scenic carriage ride through the green parkland to the castle.
They are accompanied by a colourful Sovereign’s Escort of the Life Guards and the Blues and Royals of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
Some 120 horses and 1,300 members of the British military are involved in the ceremonial welcome at Windsor, with 160 personnel from the Royal Marines and Royal Navy, 1,000 from the British Army and 140 from the Royal Air Force.
The formal ceremonial welcome in the castle quadrangle features the largest ever Guard of Honour for this occasion.
Security around the castle is at peak levels, with two sniper positions spotted on a roof in the distance.
Recovering from illness
Yesterday, Queen Camilla pulled out of the Duchess of Kent’s funeral as she is recovering from illness.
But she has recovered enough to join the Royal Family and welcomed Trump on his historic visit.
Typically, US presidents in their second term – like Trump – are not offered full state visits, but rather tea or lunch with the monarch, as was the case with George W Bush and Barack Obama.
However, the 79-year-old is bucking the trend and will make his second full state visit starting today, which will last until Friday, September 18.
Timeline of Trump’s State Visit
Tuesday, September 16:
Donald Trump is due to arrive in the evening and will be met by US Ambassador Warren Stephens and the Viscount Hood, Lord-in-Waiting on behalf of the King.
Wednesday, September 17:
The president and first lady will be met by the Prince and Princess of Wales who will accompany them to meet the King and Queen at Windsor Castle.
All six will then take part in a carriage procession through Windsor estate joined by the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, as well as members of the armed forces and military bands.
A ceremonial welcome will be held before lunch with the royal family.
In the afternoon the president and first lady will privately lay a wreath on the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Red Arrows will conduct a flypast before a traditional grand state banquet in the evening where both the King and President are expected to give speeches.
Thursday, September 18:
President Trump will travel to the prime minister’s official country residence in Buckinghamshire where he will meet Sir Keir Starmer and his wife.
The president and prime minister will view the Sir Winston Churchill archives before a bilateral meeting and business reception with the chancellor.
A press conference is expected to follow.
Melania Trump will stay at Windsor Castle for much of the day touring with the Queen and then join the Princess of Wales at Frogmore Gardens for a meeting with the Chief Scout before reuniting with her husband to fly back to the US
It follows his first in June 2019, where he met the late Queen Elizabeth II and stayed at Winfield House.
Both the police and the army have been on high alert.
Armed guards in vests were seen patrolling the quaint cobbled streets of Windsor this morning.
Steel barriers and fences were pictured along the roads and near the castle.
Members of the army in formal dress were also spotted nearby.
US secretary of state Marco Rubio arrived on the Windsor estate by car shortly ahead of President Trump’s arrival.
He shook hands with staff and surveyed the scene before heading inside a property to wait for the royal welcome.
Two sniper positions could be seen on a roof in the distance with security at peak levels.
The royals escorted their guests after they touched down in Marine One[/caption]
Kate and William shake hands with the Trumps[/caption]
The President meets Sophie Densham, Queen Camilla’s Private Secretary[/caption]
Camilla and Melania travel in the The Scottish State Coach during a horse-drawn procession[/caption]
