WINDSOR, England (AP) — On Wednesday, President Donald Trump found himself immersed in the splendor of a British royal event during his state visit to Windsor Castle. He was welcomed by King Charles III, military honor guards, and mounted troops. Trump also took a moment for a private commemoration at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II.

Accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump at St. George’s Chapel within the castle, the president laid a wreath in memory of Elizabeth, who passed away in 2022. Following this, he joined U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, chief of staff Susie Wiles, and other American dignitaries for a performance by the chapel choir.

Trump’s arrival featured a warm reception from Prince William and his wife, Kate, as they welcomed him to the private Walled Garden of the expansive Windsor estate. They escorted the Trumps to meet King Charles and Queen Camilla. Windsor Castle, a nearly 1,000-year-old royal habitation with opulent interiors, soaring towers, and invaluable art, displayed a massive royal standard from the Royal Tower, marking the special day.

The entourage approached the castle via horse-drawn carriages, passing by orderly rows of military personnel from various branches. In the Irish State Coach, King Charles and President Trump engaged in conversation on their way to the castle quadrangle. There, alongside the king, Trump reviewed a ceremonial guard dressed in iconic red tunics and bearskin hats.

The king and the president continued their amiable exchange throughout the event, with King Charles occasionally placing his hand on Trump’s back. Although Trump stepped ahead of Charles during a troop review — at the king’s encouragement — a similar protocol slip did occur previously during his 2019 visit when he walked ahead of Queen Elizabeth.

The grandeur of the occasion is intended to strengthen relations with Trump, notwithstanding his America First policies that challenge international trade and security frameworks. The celebration, befitting a president fond of opulence, included 120 horses and featured 1,300 troops, marking it as the most extensive guard of honor in recent memory.

An opening day full of ceremony and good feelings will give way to the real work Thursday when Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meet, with the stakes high for the host country.

Artifacts of US independence

The president and Charles also toured the Royal Collection Display in an ornate room where officials laid out five tables of artifacts on U.S.-British relations.

Among the items were 18th-century watercolors and documents on the United States seeking independence from King George III. There were materials from the first trans-Atlantic cable, including messages between Queen Victoria and President James Buchanan, as well as a 1930s hot dog picnic that a young Elizabeth wrote about, and a large glass vessel that President Dwight D. Eisenhower gave the queen during a 1957 state visit.

“Wow,” Trump said as he looked at documents on U.S. independence.

“That’s fascinating,” Charles said.

The president, first lady, king and queen also walked a red carpet on the castle’s East Lawn to watch the Beating Retreat, a military parade ceremony that featured 200-plus musicians and dates to the 1600s. Such proceedings were once used to call patrolling soldiers back to their castle at the end of their day.

A scheduled flyover by F-35 jets from the U.K. and U.S. militaries was scrapped due to poor weather conditions. But the Red Arrows, the Royal Air Force’s aerobatics display team, thundered overhead, leaving streaks of red, white and blue smoke in their wake and drawing a visible reaction from both Trumps.

Charles and Camilla presented the president and first lady with a handbound leather volume celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, as well as the Union flag that flew above Buckingham Palace on the day of Trump’s inauguration in January. The royals also gave first lady Melania Trump a silver and enamel bowl and a personalized handbag by British designer Anya Hindmarch.

Trump gave Charles a replica of an Eisenhower sword, and Camilla received a vintage Tiffany & Co. gold, diamond and ruby brooch.

From pomp to politics

The royals’ history, tradition and celebrity give them a cachet that means presidents and prime ministers covet joining them. Invitations handed out at the request of the elected government are a powerful tool to reward friends and wring concessions from reluctant allies.

No U.S. president, or any other world leader, has ever had the honor of a second U.K. state visit.

In his talks with Trump, Starmer will promote a new U.K.-U.S. technology agreement. The British government hopes the deal, and billions in investment from U.S. tech companies, will help show that the trans-Atlantic bond remains strong despite differences over Ukraine, the Middle East and the future of NATO.

British officials are hoping to avoid awkward questions about Jeffrey Epstein. Days before the state visit, Prime Minister Keir Starmer fired Britain’s ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson, over the diplomat’s past friendship with the convicted sex offender.

On Tuesday, the campaign group Led By Donkeys projected an image of Trump and Epstein on a tower at Windsor Castle, a reminder of the president’s relationship with the late American financier. Police said they arrested four people.

Also Wednesday, Trump was having a private lunch followed by a state banquet in the evening. The president will not address a joint session of Parliament, as French President Emmanuel Macron did in July during his state visit.

‘Photogenic setting’

Most state visits are in London, home to Buckingham Palace and the broad, flag-lined boulevard known as The Mall. But this one is in Windsor, a historic town of just over 30,000 people about 25 miles (40 kilometers) west of central London.

That makes it easier to control protests and protect Trump at a time of increased international tensions, especially after the fatal shooting of Trump ally Charlie Kirk last week in Utah. British police have undertaken a massive security operation to ensure Trump’s safety.

When Trump was in London on his first state visit in 2019, he was met by thousands of protesters who filled the streets as a balloon shaped like a giant, diaper-wearing baby Trump floated overhead.

Historian Robert Lacey, a consultant on the Netflix television series “The Crown,” said Windsor is also a more “photogenic setting” for a state visit than London.

“Buckingham Palace has got its balcony, it’s got its façade,” he said. But “inside it’s very dreary and it’s currently being renovated, which is one reason why Mr. Trump will not be staying there. Windsor is a proper castle.”

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Lawless and Price reported from London and Weissert from Washington.