Donald and Melania Trump were lauded with the finest pomp and pageantry that the British diplomatic corps and royal aides could imagine.

Some 120 horses and 1,300 members of the British military were involved in the couple’s ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle. Alongside inspecting the troops, a carriage ride, a ceremonial flypast and a wreath-laying ceremony for the late Queen, the programme was designed to appeal to the US President’s love of the Royal Family and to serve as a reminder of the long history of military cooperation between the two countries.

Ever since Sir Keir Starmer hand-delivered the King’s written invitation to Trump in the Oval Office in February, British officials have been planning every detail of the second state visit . And while Wednesday’s charm offensive

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