The banner, which was removed soon after it was unfurled, highlighted the ties between the two men after last week’s release of a “birthday book” with a personal message to Epstein from Trump that he denies writing.
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Four people were arrested after images of Trump and Epstein were projected onto the walls of Windsor Castle, along with images of the birthday letter, and of Epstein’s victims, news clips about his case and police reports.
Photographs of Epstein at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in 1995 show him with Trump and Melania, while a photograph five years later shows him with Melania and Prince Andrew, who was relieved of his royal duties because of his friendship with the jailed sex offender, who died in 2019.
The police said in a statement that four adults were arrested on suspicion of malicious communications following an “unauthorised projection” at Windsor Castle, which they described as a “public stunt”.
Another group planted fake souvenirs in Windsor gift shops including coffee mugs and plates with a photo of Trump and Epstein and a reference to a “special relationship” – in a play on the phrase often used to describe ties between the United States and the UK.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is hoping to gain better trade terms in talks with Trump on Thursday, after a day of royal ceremony at Windsor on Wednesday, including a state banquet featuring the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Queen Camilla is also expected to attend the banquet, according to royal officials, despite having to cancel her attendance at the funeral of the Duchess of Kent on Tuesday due to sinusitis.
Trump and Starmer sealed a trade agreement in May that applied a 10 per cent tariff on most UK exports to the US, in line with the rate applied to Australia and lower than the 15 per cent applied to the European Union.
Starmer is aiming to finalise terms on steel exports, which remain subject to 25 per cent tariffs, and received a public signal from Trump that there might be room to move.
“They want to see if they can refine the trade deal a little bit,” Trump told reporters before he left Washington for the UK.
Trump dolls for sale in a shop in Windsor, England, on Tuesday ahead of the US president’s visit.Credit: Getty Images
“We made a deal, and it’s a great deal, and I’m into helping them.”
Trump, whose mother was born in Scotland and had a lifetime love for the royal family, emphasised the ceremonial aspects of the visit and the importance of Windsor Castle as the venue.
In his first state visit, in June 2019, Trump and his wife, Melania, were welcomed by Queen Elizabeth and received a state banquet in their honour at Buckingham Palace. Trump visited Downing Street for talks with then-prime minister Theresa May, and hosted a dinner at Winfield House.
In this week’s visit, Trump and Melania would stay at Winfield House before going to Windsor Castle about noon on Wednesday (9pm AEST) for a day of ceremony before the banquet. They will stay at the castle that night.
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“I don’t want to say one’s better than the other, but they say Windsor Castle is the ultimate, right. So it’s going to be nice,” Trump said before he left the US.
Of Charles and Camilla, he said: “They’re friends of mine from a long time, long before he was king. And it’s an honour to have him as king. I think he represents the country so well – I’ve watched. Such an elegant gentleman, and he represents the country so well.”
A major protest against Trump is expected to start two hours after his arrival at Windsor Castle. It is backed by about 50 groups including Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Black Lives Matter, Amnesty International, Muslim Association of Britain, Fossil Free London, Stand up to Racism and Right to Remain, a group that wants the UK to rejoin the EU.
“We are a completely non-violent, anti-violence movement,” a spokeswoman for the group said.
“It will not be tolerated at our protests, and we have security and stewards to keep attendees safe.”
A protester holds a placard in front of Windsor Castle.Credit: AP
While Starmer is seeking to negotiate trade outcomes with Trump, the protest movement said that was no reason to host Trump in the UK.
“Trump doesn’t honour his deals. He’s not worth negotiating with,” the spokeswoman said.
With Reuters
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