Months of planning, days of rehearsing and a dinner table that took almost a week to set up, the financial and reputational cost of this state visit, with the UK entertaining such a controversial character, has been huge.

But it appears to have paid off, for now at least.

Overt celebration isn't really their style at the palace - quite ironic when you think yesterday's military display was anything but low-key.

But overall, you sense there is a feeling that it was a job well done, and in no small part because of the King.

Image: The King and Donald Trump watch the Red Arrows. Pic: Reuters

With the pressure on to make sure nothing went wrong and that Donald Trump felt as welcome as possible, it would have been easy for our efforts to look forced.

Clearly, laying on the largest cerem

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