THANK YOU MA'AM
The Queen gifts Donald Trump a first edition Winston Churchill war book as Melania receives Buckingham Palace-inspired box
THE Queen today gave President Trump a first edition of Winston Churchill's book on World War II on day one of his official visit.
She gifted his wife, Melania, a Buckingham Palace-inspired silver box, which features foliage representing the ceiling of the music room.
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The pair were handed the items as they toured the palace with the Monarch, after she greeted the US President warmly this afternoon.
The rare book, The Second World War, was published in 1959 and features gold tooled decoration on the cover, spine and inner cover, an EIIR cypher in gold on the front, silk endpapers and hand-sewn headbands in colours of the US flag.
It covers the period between the end of World War I to July 1945, penned by the former Prime Minister.
Nowadays it is read as more of a memoir, as it was written from Churchill's point of view and couldn't reveal all the facts as some had to remain a secret.
Her Majesty also gave Mr Trump a three-piece Duofold pen set - a fountain pen, rollerball pen and ball point pen with EIIR cypher - using the obsidian design, exclusively made for the Queen.
It is the custom for the Queen to give heads of state gifts on visits, but in a show of friendship, the box given to Mrs Trump was specially made for her.
Its royal blue decoration featured roses, thistles and shamrocks to represent the ceiling of the Buckingham Palace music room.
The President and his family were greeted with full pomp and ceremony when his helicopter landed on the lawn this afternoon for the official start of his three-day tour.
HOSTING TRUMP
The Queen hosted lunch for Mr Trump and wife Melania, then led them on a tour of Buckingham Palace.
The First Couple moved on to Westminster Abbey later, to place a wreath at the grave of the Unknown Warrior.
Prince Charles and Camilla greeted Mr Trump and his wife Melania at Buckingham Palace shortly after midday.
They then led the First Couple across the lawn of the palace garden to where the Queen was waiting for them.
A full military escort met the President on the Buckingham Palace lawn, before firing off 82 cannons - 41 in honour of Mr Trump, and another 41 to mark the anniversary of the Queen's coronation.
The two leaders then inspected a line-up of the Grenadier Guards as the band played The Star-Spangled Spanner and God Save The Queen.
On the first day of Mr Trump's visit to Britain:
- The President launched a furious rant at London Mayor Sadiq Khan - who hit back calling Mr Trump "far right"
- Mr Trump had a long chat with Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt on the tarmac at Stansted, just days after he said he "liked" the Tory leadership hopeful
- It emerged the President WON'T have a one-on-one meeting with lame duck PM Theresa May
- Prince Harry joined the Royal party despite the war of words over Meghan's views on Mr Trump
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A ring of steel has been put in place outside the US Ambassador's residence in Regent's Park ahead of Trump's much-anticipated arrival, with cops implementing strict safety measures.
The President will also enjoy the protection of state-of-the-art security equipment and staff.
An eight-foot-high temporary steel mesh fence has been placed on the road between Winfield House and London's Central Mosque.
Demonstrators have vowed lay siege to Downing Street, with protests still expected to take place despite police imposing a ban on marching down Whitehall.
The infamous inflatable baby blimp, which flew during his last visit to London, is also expected to pay another visit.
MOST READ IN NEWS
Trump's eldest daughter Ivanka, 37, was the first to arrive in London.
She posted a photograph of herself outside the Victoria and Albert Museum wearing a yellow floral dress from New York sister designers duo Ai Ly and Wayne Lee - aka Les Reveries.
Yesterday Mr Trump's ambassador to the UK said the President wanted to get a trade deal done as quickly as possible, saying it was already on the President's desk to get sorted.
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Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt greets US President Donald Trump as he arrives in the UK for three-day state visit
US President Donald Trump lands at London's Stansted Airport for UK state visit
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