US President Donald Trump's state visit to the United Kingdom this week will be no stranger to controversy, just as his first was six years ago.
Back then, in June 2019, as well as taking tea with the late Queen, the US President called London Mayor Sadiq Khan a stone-cold loser, backed Boris Johnson in a Tory leadership race and suggested the NHS should be part of US-UK trade talks.
Accompanying this was a petition urging against his state visit, signed by over one million people, alongside large protests featuring an inflatable effigy known as the Trump Baby.
This week's second state visit - unprecedented for a non-royal - seems set to mirror the first in its share of difficulties.
Protests loomed over the visit as the recent sacking of Lord Mandelson as the UK ambassador to the US casts a diplomatic pall. Planning efforts for the visit, set for Wednesday and Thursday, have spanned months. For all the careful preparation, uncertainties around potential disruptions persist.
Localization efforts have led many locals to nickname Windsor “Trumpton”, underscoring the extensive American presence. Highlighting the logistical burdens, the royal team navigates security, seating arrangements, and even banquet details to ensure an air of formality, with significant military presence expected.
Attempts to charm President Trump are evident in the extensive ceremonial planning, even as the visit remains short and does not include key traditional engagements like a tour of Downing Street or a round of golf.
Amidst logistical challenges, UK officials seek to cast this visit as a pivotal moment for US-UK relations, especially amidst trade negotiations. However, lingering controversies, such as the Mandelson affair and Trump's lack of popularity in the UK, add layers of complication to the impending visit.
As British ministers prepare to negotiate key partnerships with Trump, they face the pressing question of public sentiment and the effectiveness of leveraging grandeur amidst impactful diplomatic narratives.
