Protests Begin at Windsor as Donald Trump’s State Visit Opens; Larger Demonstrations Planned in London

Protests against President Donald Trump began before his state visit to the United Kingdom on Tuesday, with demonstrators gathering near Windsor Castle and organisers planning larger marches in central London during the two-day stay.

A small group assembled outside Windsor Parish Church as Trump and first lady Melania Trump were still in the air, chanting slogans including "Dump Trump," according to witnesses. One protester, who gave her first name as Michelle and identified herself as a 32-year-old marketing executive, told AFP she was "beyond disappointed" that Britain had opened its doors to the president and said she believed his rhetoric was contributing to a rise in far-right activity in the country.

Organisers said thousands are expected to descend on central London on Wednesday, with a march on Parliament Square planned to begin around 2 p.m. Police in the capital said about 1,600 officers will be deployed in and around Westminster to manage demonstrations organised by roughly 50 groups under the Stop Trump Coalition banner.

Authorities reported several arrests in connection with activity around Windsor. Two 37-year-old men were detained for flying drones in a temporary exclusion zone near the castle. In a separate incident, four people were arrested after images and video of Jeffrey Epstein, Prince Andrew and Trump were projected onto the castle’s façade on Tuesday evening.

The projection displayed a series of images and a timeline of past associations, including a photograph of a note that the projection said appeared in a copy of Trump’s book "Trump: The Art of the Comeback" that read, "To Jeff, you are the greatest." The material also included pictures of Prince Andrew alongside Epstein, who faced sex‑trafficking charges before his death.

Chief Superintendent Felicity Parker said police treated the projection as "unauthorised activity around Windsor Castle" and that officers had "responded swiftly to stop the projection" before making arrests. She said police were conducting a "thorough investigation" with partner agencies and would provide further updates when able.

Windsor, where the couple are staying during the visit, saw a mix of protesters and passersby on Tuesday evening. American flags and Union Jacks were visible on the town’s high street as small demonstrations took place ahead of larger planned actions in London and other parts of the UK.

The visits and planned rallies come amid heightened political sensitivity in Britain over public order and free expression. Organisers of the Stop Trump Coalition said they had brought together diverse groups opposed to the president’s policies and public statements, while police prepared for the logistical challenge of clearing routes and policing large crowds.

Officials said road closures would be in place in parts of central London to facilitate the march to Parliament Square. Police and local authorities have urged residents and visitors to expect disruption and follow public safety guidance as the events proceed.

The state visit is scheduled to last two days. Trump, 79, is due to meet senior British officials during his stay; the encounter with Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to be a focal point of political attention and protest activity.

Further demonstrations are planned across the UK during the visit, and police said they would monitor events closely to keep the public and participants safe. Investigations into the drone flights and the projection incident remain ongoing as authorities review evidence and seek to determine any breaches of the temporary exclusion zone and related laws.