Thousands of anti-Trump protesters march in London as king and senior royals host US president in Windsor – UK politics live
"Anti-Trump protesters march in London as US president attend events in Windsor before a state banquet
What is beating retreat?
Here is the Ministry of Defence’s explanation of what the beating retreat ceremony actually is.
Beating Retreat is a military spectacle and ceremony which originated in the early years of organised warfare and symbolises the end of the day when camp gates were closed and ceremonial flags were lowered.
The ceremony takes place on Horse Guards Parade every year in June, when the salute is taken by a member of the Royal Family.
Apparently this is the first time there has been a beating retreat during a state visit.
(That may be in part because, when previous presidents have visited the UK on state visits, the organisers have not had to keep the president locked up behind a castle wall for a whole day because they don’t want protests to spoil public-facing visits.)
The MoD has also explained some of the music chosen for the ceremony.
Much of the music chosen for this Beating Retreat ceremony is relevant to the historic relationship between the UK and US:
Eagle Squadron commemorates US pilots who flew in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War
Golden Friendship is a classic American march which is a favourite of the First Lady. It is often played for her at the White House. Its title is particularly appropriate to today’s ceremonies.
Eternal Father is international associated with fallen seafarers. It is often played at sunset to mark the end of the day and reflect on shared sacrifice.
Battle Hymn of the Republic is often played at the White House, including for President Roosevelt and Sir Winston Churchill at the end of the Second World War.
Anti-Trump protesters denounce US president as 'fascist'
Rachel Hall is a Guardian reporter.
Thousands of people gathered in the streets of central London for the main Stop Trump Coalition protest on Wednesday afternoon. Many held placards expressing anger and frustration with a wide range of political issues, from climate breakdown and abortion rights to genocide in Gaza, nuclear disarmament, the monarchy, the rise of Reform and racism. Common placards displayed slogans stating “make polluters pay”, “no to racism, no to Trump”, “stop arming Israel” and “stop Trump, stop fascism”.
Other protesters adopted creative approaches, including one woman who dressed as the statue of Liberty, holding a book stating “the statue of taking Liberties”, another who dragged a Trump effigy on the ground, and one person dressed in a costume echoing the inflatable Trump baby blimp from the 2018 protest, clutching a list titled the “Epstein Files”, listing the people allegedly implicated.
Protesters who spoke to the Guardian said they were participating to signal their exasperation with Keir Starmer and the UK government, as well as their rage about Donald Trump’s prominence on the world stage, and the impact of his divisive policies.
One art teacher from south London had hand painted a placard featuring portraits of Starmer and Trump stating “appeasing hate empowers fascists”. She said she wanted to send a message to Starmer that she was disappointed in the Labour government, and that his decision to invite Trump for a second state visit was “appalling”.
She was inspired by her South African father to join the protest, given the eventual impact that civil disobedience had on ending apartheid. She told the Guardian:
Whatever the general public can do, even if it means going on a protest and just marching and raising your voice – however small it is, it’s better than nothing.
Chloe Evans had travelled up from Dorset to express her fears around the rollback she felt the Trump administration was having on women’s rights, including abortion and rape prosecution. She said:
We need to show American citizens that they still have friends over here, who are thinking about them. And we’re doing our best to pressure our government to take action.
Sam Weinstein, an American who has lived in London since 2012, joined the protest to represent the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network. He said:
I’m outraged that they would even consider inviting Trump to this country. Since when do we elect convicted criminals, and since when do we let them govern the world?
John, who grew up in the southern states of the US, said he had seen the rise of the Make America Great Again (Maga) movement up close, and feared that we are now “watching the rise of fascism”, with the lessons of the previous century increasingly forgotten. He travelled up from Bournemouth to hold a placard that said he had been “radicalised” by Trump, because he had never before felt so motivated to participate in politics.
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