Protesters beamed giant Epstein video onto Windsor Castle as Trump's UK state visit began

LAST UPDATE | 21 hrs ago

PROTESTERS LAST NIGHT projected images of Donald Trump and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein onto Windsor Castle, where the US president will be treated to a lavish banquet today.

The Led by Donkeys group, which is known for its viral stunts targeting politicians, broadcast a video montage for several minutes onto one of the towers of Windsor Castle.

The shots – shown shortly before Trump’s arrival in Britain – included the president’s mugshot, portraits of Epstein, newspaper headlines and footage of the two men dancing together.

Local police said four people had been arrested “on suspicion of malicious communications” following the stunt in Windsor.

“We take any unauthorised activity around Windsor Castle extremely seriously,” said Chief Superintendent Felicity Parker of Thames Valley Police, adding that officers “responded swiftly to stop the projection”.

Trump has struggled to shake off stories about his ties to his former friend Epstein, who died in prison in 2019 before his trial for sexual exploitation.

A tranche of documents recently released by US legislators included an alleged letter from the president to Epstein to celebrate his 50th birthday.

The White House initially said the letter didn’t exist and has continued to deny that it is authentic.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also been affected, dismissing his ambassador to Washington Peter Mandelson following revelations about the envoy’s close ties to the sex offender.

Mandelson was sacked last week after emails were published showing that he sent supportive messages to Epstein, even as he faced jail for sex offences.

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Emails published by Bloomberg last week included passages in which Mandelson told Epstein to “fight for early release” shortly before he was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

He is also reported to have told Epstein, “I think the world of you”, the day before the disgraced financier began his sentence for soliciting prostitution from a minor in June 2008.

A day before he was sacked, Starmer had backed Mandelson at Prime Minister’s Questions.

Starmer has faced questions about his judgment in appointing Mandelson in the first place, given that Mandelson’s friendship with Epstein was public knowledge.

Meanwhile, even before Air Force One touched down, dozens of anti-Trump demonstrators gathered in Windsor to protest his visit.

Thousands more plan to demonstrate in London today, although there will be no public-facing engagements for Trump during the state visit.

The Metropolitan Police said it is preparing for “a significant operation”, with more than 1,600 officers being deployed today, including 500 assisting from other forces.

Trump landed at London Stansted airport yesterday evening before taking a helicopter to Winfield House in Regent’s Park, central London, where stayed the night.

Trump’s state visit will include:

• A greeting at Windsor Castle by a royal salute today, followed by a carriage through the Windsor estate, joined by Britain’s King Charles, Camilla, William and Kate.
• A visit today to St George’s Chapel to lay a wreath on the tomb of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth.
• A white-tie banquet this evening in Windsor Castle where Charles and Trump will give speeches.
• Tomorrow, Trump will travel to Chequers, where he will be greeted by a guard of honour.
• Trump will have an official sit down with Starmer, and then hold a reception with business leaders, including representatives from Rolls-Royce and Microsoft.
• Tomorrow evening, the Trumps will leave for the US.

Trump hailed the UK as a “very special place” ahead of the first full day of his second state visit, having previously accepted an invite to the UK in 2019.

The US president told reporters yesterday evening he “loves” the UK.

“I have a lot of things here that warm my heart,” he said. “I want to tell you. It’s a very special place.” 

-With additional reporting from AFP and Press Association

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