Protests erupts in London as Trump meets King Charles and Prince William

Protests erupted in central London on Wednesday as US President Donald Trump met King Charles and Prince William during his official state visit to the UK.

While thousands of demonstrators marched through the capital, Trump attended a state banquet where King Charles commended his “personal commitment to finding solutions to some of the world’s most intractable conflicts” and urged US support for Ukraine against ‘tyranny’.

In response, Trump hailed the US-UK alliance, declaring that “the word ‘special’ does not begin to do it justice”.

The Stop Trump Coalition organised the mass protest, with marchers gathering at Portland Place before moving through Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus, Whitehall, and into Parliament Square, where a rally continued into the evening. Demonstrators denounced what they described as “Trumpism” policies of inequality, climate denial, and attacks on rights.

Campaigners demand:

An end to UK government ‘appeasement’ of Trumpism and its policies

Stronger action on climate change instead of fossil fuel expansion

Solidarity with Palestinians and Ukrainians, including an end to Israel’s war in Gaza and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Protection of rights and freedoms under attack from authoritarian and nationalist politics

Protests are also being held in Windsor alongside London’s marches, with demonstrators declaring Trump ‘unwelcome’ in the UK.

The Metropolitan Police deployed more than 1,600 officers, including 500 from outside forces, and imposed Public Order Act conditions to contain disruption. Significant road closures were in place across the city.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Louise Puddefoot said, “We are policing without fear or favour, allowing people to exercise their lawful rights while acting robustly against crime or disorder”.

With rallies and road closures underway, police have urged Londoners to prepare for significant disruption across the capital throughout the evening.