World media criticise UK after images of Trump with Jeffrey Epstein projected onto Windsor Castle

Protesters projected images of U.S. President Donald Trump alongside convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein onto the walls of Windsor Castle during the president’s state visit to Britain, prompting four arrests and sharp criticism from international media over the apparent security lapse.

The projection, which campaigners said included a timeline of photographs and an inscription copied from Mr. Trump’s book reading “To Jeff, you are the greatest,” was displayed on one of the castle towers for several minutes on Tuesday evening. Images of Prince Andrew with Epstein were also shown, and the activist group Led By Donkeys appeared to claim responsibility in an Instagram post that included the montage and the message “Hey Donald, welcome to Windsor Castle.”

Thames Valley Police said officers responded “swiftly to stop the projection” and arrested four people. Chief Superintendent Felicity Parker said the force takes “any unauthorised activity around Windsor Castle extremely seriously” and that detectives were conducting a thorough investigation with partners. A police spokesperson said two individuals who disrupted a private dinner in Windsor on Tuesday night were removed by organisers and not arrested.

The incident occurred on the opening night of Mr. Trump’s two-day state visit to Britain, his second, during which he is being hosted at Windsor Castle while Buckingham Palace undergoes a multi-year refurbishment. Mr. Trump landed at London Stansted on Tuesday and was due to meet King Charles at the royal residence. Thousands of protesters are expected in London during the visit, and police said roughly 1,600 officers would be deployed around Westminster for marches organised by a coalition of groups opposed to the trip.

News organisations across Europe and beyond reported the Windsor projection as a public relations setback for the British authorities. Polish tabloid Fakt described it as an unwelcoming scene likely to anger the U.S. president. Germany’s Bild wrote that the display made for an inauspicious greeting, while Swiss and Greek outlets noted the images were intended to highlight controversial ties between Mr. Trump and Epstein. French broadcaster BFMTV and La Parisien said the British group Led By Donkeys had aired a video montage on a tower of the royal residence for several minutes.

Spanish paper El Mundo pointed out the projection happened despite a heightened security presence in Windsor, including a no-fly zone. Italian newspapers Corriere della Sera and La Stampa also covered the incident, as did the Dutch daily De Telegraaf and Swiss-German Blick.

The projection came after other demonstrations planned around Mr. Trump’s visit. Activists calling themselves Everyone Hates Elon displayed a 400-square-metre photograph of Mr. Trump with Epstein outside the castle on Monday, saying their crowdfunder raised more than £30,000 for the action. Members of environmental group Fossil Free London were escorted from a Republican Overseas UK dinner in Windsor after unfurling a banner and chanting.

The visit has played out against a fraught domestic political backdrop for Britain. UK media reports said former Labour cabinet minister Peter Mandelson was sacked as the country’s ambassador to the United States after the release of emails that, according to reporting, suggested he sought to intervene on behalf of Epstein. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has faced scrutiny over the appointment process.

Thames Valley Police and event organisers said inquiries into the Windsor projection and related incidents were continuing. Authorities have declined to provide further details about the arrests pending the ongoing investigation. Protest organisers have said demonstrations in London and other parts of the UK will continue during the state visit.