Kate Middleton beams as she charms Donald and Melania Trump with dazzling smile

The Princess of Wales beamed as she charmed Donald and Melania Trump as they arrived in Windsor for their unprecendented second state visit to the UK.

Kate, in burgundy, along with Prince Williamgreeted the US President and First Lady as they disembarked Marine One after landing in the grounds of the Windsor estate,before they were taken to meet the King and Queen. Kate was dressed in a burgundy Emilia Wickstead dress, matching hat by Jane Taylor and wearing a feather brooch. As Mr Trump stepped from the aircraft, William and Kate waited at the bottom of the step to greet him.

The president shook hands warmly with William and patted the heir to the throne affectionately on his right arm. Kate then shook hands with Mr Trump with the pair chatting throughout. Melania, wearing a wide brimmed purple hat which obscured her eyes, was also was also welcomed by the Waleses.

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The president and first lady were welcomed by William and Kate in the Walled Garden in Windsor. In a unique move, which is just one of a number of flourishes being added to the controversial American leader’s second state visit, the president’s Marine One helicopter landed on the lawn of the garden nestled in the private Home Park.

The royal couple greeted the Trumps as they disembarked their helicopter and walked with them the short distance, where they met the King and Queen outside the little-known Victoria House to launch the historic trip before embarking on a carriage ride to Windsor Castle.

Kate was later seen talking to Melania Trump, wearing a black skirt suit with purple hat, held her husband’s hand as she walked across the lawn. They then walked the short distance to Victoria House where they were greeted by the King and Queen.

“This is my father,” said the Prince of Wales as he led the Trump to meet the King. Queen Camilla is attending all elements of the state visit after recovering from sinusitis, forcing her to pull out of the Duchess of Kent’s funeral on Tuesday.

A 41-round gun salute was fired from six First World War era guns simultaneously by The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery on the East Lawn of Windsor Castle, while the Honourable Artillery Company staged a salute more than 20 miles away at the Tower of London.

The President and the First Lady joined the King and Queen, and the Prince and Princess of Wales, in a Carriage Procession through the Windsor estate, towards the Castle.

As the Carriage Procession moved off, the US and British National Anthems were played while a Sovereign’s Escort of the Household Cavalry was mounted at the start of the processional route. For the start of the day’s spectacle, which Trump referred to as a “fest” while boasting how he will become the first US President to be offered an unprecedented second state visit while in office, the route was lined by Armed Forces personnel from the Walled Garden to George IV Gate.

The King and Trump rode together in the Irish State Coach while the Queen and First Lady followed in the Scottish State Coach. The Prince and Princess of Wales rode in the Semi-State Landau with The Honourable Warren Stephens, Ambassador of the United States of America and his wife.

Marco Rubio, Secretary of State of the United States of America and Acting National Security Advisor, had arrived earlier at Victoria House. He joined the carriage procession in the Ascot Landau with Scott Bessent, Secretary of the Treasury of the United State of AmericaThe Honourable Susie Wiles, Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff and Steve Witkoff, Assistant to the President and Special Envoy for Peace, will also take part in the procession. The Carriage Procession moved off along the gravel path of Rose Walk.

The ten-minute route, approximately two kilometres, took them down Frogmore Drive, past Frogmore Cottage, the former home of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, to the George VI gateway to the quadrangle at Windsor Castle.

It comes as the scale and spectacle of the military ceremonial on show for Mr Trump is unprecedented and marks the largest military ceremonial welcome for a state visit to the UK in living memory.

In total, around 120 horses and 1,300 members of the British military will be involved in the ceremonial welcome at Windsor, with 160 personnel from the Royal Marines and Royal Navy, 1,000 from the British Army and 140 from the Royal Air Force.

For the carriage procession which took the visitors and royals to Windsor Castle, there are 80 soldiers from the House Cavalry Mounted Regiment form the Sovereign's Escort travelling with the carriages, with the Life Guards dressed in their red tunics and white plumed helmets and Blues and Royals in their blue tunics and red plumes.

The Presidentand his wife will this afternoon pay their respects at the final resting place of Queen Elizabeth II in St George’s Chapel as well as being led through a display of the Royal Collection by the senior royals.

Tonight a glittering State Banquet will take place in honour of the US guests, with speeches from the King and the President.