#state-visit

#state-visit

Donald Trump's state visit to the United Kingdom his second, with the same pomp and protocol was to be the most significant event scheduled to kick off the new British political year. A series of unexpected and serious factors, such as the dismissal of the ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson, over his friendship with billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, and the murder of far-right American activist Charlie Kirk, have disrupted Downing Street's plans and foreshadow political tension and unprecedented security measures throughout the week.

However, Channel 4 is dedicating its Wednesday night schedule to unpicking what it describes as the falsehoods expressed by Trump since taking office in a broadcast that insiders said would last several hours. Trump v The Truth, starting at 10pm, is expected to cover everything from the president's false boast that his administration had stopped $50m being sent to Gaza to buy condoms for Hamas, to his debunked claim to have sent Ukraine more than $300bn (220bn) in wartime aid.

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

Windsor Castle staff are setting the 50-meter-long (164-feet-long) mahogany table. Grooms are buffing the hooves of the horses that will pull the royal carriages. And the military honor guard is drilling to ensure every step lands with precision. Throughout the halls and grounds of the almost 1,000-year-old castle west of London, hundreds of people are working to make sure King Charles III puts on the best show possible when he welcomes U.S. President Donald Trump for his historic second state visit this week.

Donald Trump's second state visit to the UK will see a big policing operation led by drones in the airspace over Windsor, police have said. King Charles is to host the US president and his wife, Melania Trump, at Windsor Castle from 17 to 19 September, where they will be entertained with a ceremonial welcome and state banquet. A round-the-clock policing operation will be in place in the Berkshire town during the event, with a temporary order restricting the airspace from 16 September when the state visit rehearsal is to take place until 18 September.

There is no honour like an invitation from the King, and not to accept his invitation goes against all of our instincts. But I fear we could have a situation where Donald Trump comes to our country, is honoured with a lavish dinner at one of our finest palaces, yet no one reminds him that he has the power to stop the horrifying starvation and death in Gaza and get the hostages released.

At the state banquet, King Charles III will emphasize the need for the UK and France to unite against a variety of complex threats, highlighting shared values and determination.