Donald Trump to be protected by ‘£10,000,000 security cordon’ for his UK visit

Donald Trump’s unprecedented state visit to the UK will take place amid a ‘significant’ security operation estimated to cost at least £10 million.

The US president and First Lady Melania Trump will be hosted by King Charles at Windsor Castle during the three-day trip.  

The major security operation will include drones policing the airspace over the royal borough, where the couple will be feted with a ceremonial welcome and state banquet between September 17 and 19.  

Although the full itinerary is yet to be announced, it’s understood the president will meet Sir Keir Starmer during the visit.

A national demonstration under the banner Trump Not Welcome is due to take place on the first day of the state visit, with various campaign groups joining forces for the rally. 

The movement has also indicated that there will be protests in Windsor during the visit next week.  

Security specialist Will Geddes said: ‘Trump’s security contingent will be significant but that doesn’t mean that it will lighten the load for Thames Valley or the Metropolitan Police.  

‘At a conservative estimate, the operation will probably be costing the UK taxpayer close to £10 million.

‘His security will be on a considerably bigger scale than most visiting heads of state and the US Secret Service will have been planning this for a significant amount of time.

‘So some of the cost will already have been spent in planning operations, co-ordination and assigning police officers. 

‘The police will be doing an extensive job, but having said that, we are world leaders at hosting visiting heads of state.

‘We have a well-oiled co-ordinating machine, you couldn’t ask for better to keep you safe on a trip to another country.’  

The US security contingent’s counterparts in the UK will include the Royal and Specialist Protection team, a command within the Metropolitan Police which protects people of rank and importance, Mr Geddes said.

Trump’s three-day state visit in 2019 cost the Met £3.5 million, with more than 6,300 officers deployed.

A 24/7 policing operation will be in place in the Berkshire town during the event, with a temporary order restricting the airspace from September 16 – when the state visit rehearsal is to take place – until September 18. 

Non-police drones and smaller aircraft will be banned from flying in the protected area, Thames Valley Police officers said on Monday.

They spoke during a drone-flying demonstration at the force’s training centre in Sulhamstead, Berkshire. 

Inspector Matthew Wilkinson, airspace bronze commander, said: ‘It’s a significant policing operation for us. However, Thames Valley Police is proud to host these events and we have a good history of putting on these events for both the Royal Family and the country.’ 

Asked about the scale of the drone operation for the state visit, Insp Wilkinson replied: ‘It’s one of the larger ones. 

‘It’s in line with other large-scale events we’ve put on as a force. 

‘Obviously every event carries on its own challenges and threats, and we’ll assess that and resource it accordingly.’ 

Speaking about the restricted airspace order, Insp Wilkinson said the public in Windsor will be kept informed. 

‘We are engaging with the local businesses, local communities, hobbyist drone enthusiasts, gliding schools and things like that, to try and share that message, so it’s not a surprise for anybody,’ he said. 

‘Obviously it’s an offence to fly a drone in a restricted airspace and we will have resources to deal with any of those incursions.’

Insp Wilkinson added that the force will have ‘plenty of capability’, and the drones will act as an ‘eye in the sky’ during the event. 

The DJIM 30T model introduced during the demonstration on Monday is already used by police on a day-to-day basis, usually as part of missing persons inquiries and drug warrants, officers said. 

Each drone can fly up to 120 metres (400ft) and is expected to stay up for 30 minutes at a time during the operation, with a replacement taking off shortly before the end of that period so as not to lose coverage. 

Trump is making his second state visit to the UK after being given a written invite by Sir Keir Starmer at the White House in February – an unprecedented gesture towards a US president.

The president’s previous official trip in 2019 saw thousands of people turn out on the streets in London in opposition. 

He was hosted by Queen Elizabeth II and given a state banquet at Buckingham Palace during his first term in office.

As on the previous occasion, senior royals, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, will be involved next week.

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