Queen Elizabeth Meets With Trump and Melania

Queen Elizabeth II welcomed President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to Windsor Castle on Friday as protests against their visit raged across Britain.

Trump’s motorcade pulled up to Windsor Castle in the afternoon. The Queen was waiting at a dais to greet the Trumps after they stepped out of the vehicle. They observed a military display, then went inside for a private tea.

Trump had made it clear he was looking forward to his meet and greet with the monarch, who he described as a “tremendous woman” in an interview with The Sun. “I really look forward to meeting her. I think she represents her country so well.”

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump are greeted by the queen. (Photo: PA Wire/PA Images)
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump are greeted by the queen. (Photo: PA Wire/PA Images)
The Trumps stand alongside Queen Elizabeth II as they listen to the US national anthem at Windsor Castle.  (Photo: PA Wire/PA Images)
The Trumps stand alongside Queen Elizabeth II as they listen to the US national anthem at Windsor Castle.  (Photo: PA Wire/PA Images)
President Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II inspect a Guard of Honour, formed of the Coldstream Guards, at Windsor Castle on July 13.  (Photo: PA Wire/PA Images)
President Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II inspect a Guard of Honour, formed of the Coldstream Guards, at Windsor Castle on July 13.  (Photo: PA Wire/PA Images)
President Trump, Queen Elizabeth II, first lady Melania Trump and Lieutenant Colonel Sir Andrew Ford walk together to leave the Quadrangle after a ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle on July 13.  (Photo: CHRIS JACKSON via Getty Images)
President Trump, Queen Elizabeth II, first lady Melania Trump and Lieutenant Colonel Sir Andrew Ford walk together to leave the Quadrangle after a ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle on July 13.  (Photo: CHRIS JACKSON via Getty Images)

The Trumps landed in London on Thursday following a whirlwind visit to Brussels, where the president hammered NATO member states for not contributing enough to defense spending, then announced in a press conference that he got them to speed up their spending commitments ― a claim that countries debunked.

Despite lauding the strength of the U.S.-U.K. “special relationship,” Trump ruffled feathers only hours after arriving in Britain. He criticized U.K. leadership in the Sun interview, which happened to go to print while Prime Minister Theresa May was hosting the first couple at a gala Thursday evening.

Tens of thousands gathered across Britain to protest their visit. In London, the morning kicked off with a 20-foot blimp shaped like a baby Trump flying over Parliament. A series of mass demonstrations followed, with tens of thousands taking over central London’s busiest avenues.

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Demonstrators float a blimp portraying President Donald Trump, next to a Union Flag above Parliament Square, during the visit by Trump and First Lady Melania Trump in London on July 13, 2018. 
Demonstrators float a blimp portraying President Donald Trump, next to a Union Flag above Parliament Square, during the visit by Trump and First Lady Melania Trump in London on July 13, 2018. 
A man dressed as Trump in a gorilla costume stands in what appears to be a prison cell during a London protest.
A man dressed as Trump in a gorilla costume stands in what appears to be a prison cell during a London protest.
Protesters gathered near an entrance to the U.S. ambassador to the U.K.'s residence in London on July 12, 2018 as Trump arrived. 
Protesters gathered near an entrance to the U.S. ambassador to the U.K.'s residence in London on July 12, 2018 as Trump arrived. 
More protesters outside the entrance to Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, ahead of the dinner hosted by Prime Minister Theresa May.
More protesters outside the entrance to Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, ahead of the dinner hosted by Prime Minister Theresa May.
Homemade anti-Trump placards in Butler's Cross, close to the prime minister's country residence of Chequers, during day two of Trump's visit.
Homemade anti-Trump placards in Butler's Cross, close to the prime minister's country residence of Chequers, during day two of Trump's visit.
A protester carries an umbrella during an anti-Trump demonstration.
A protester carries an umbrella during an anti-Trump demonstration.
Demonstrators protest against the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump, in central London, Britain, July 13, 2018.
Demonstrators protest against the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump, in central London, Britain, July 13, 2018.
A drag queen joins protesters against the UK visit of US President Donald Trump as they gather to take part in a march and rally in London.
A drag queen joins protesters against the UK visit of US President Donald Trump as they gather to take part in a march and rally in London.
The handmaid on the left, Angela Wardbrown, traveled from Winchester to attend today’s protest. Totalitarian regimes, like the one on the hit show, “have their roots in some of what Trump’s doing now,” she said. “It’s endemic.”
The handmaid on the left, Angela Wardbrown, traveled from Winchester to attend today’s protest. Totalitarian regimes, like the one on the hit show, “have their roots in some of what Trump’s doing now,” she said. “It’s endemic.”
14-month-old Linus Hemphreys and his mother Alexandra Heminsley from Brighton protests the visit of President Donald Trump to the UK. 
14-month-old Linus Hemphreys and his mother Alexandra Heminsley from Brighton protests the visit of President Donald Trump to the UK. 
Protesters hold up signs referencing Trump's "grab 'em by the pussy" comments.
Protesters hold up signs referencing Trump's "grab 'em by the pussy" comments.
Tens of thousands people protest U.S. President Donald Trump in central London.
Tens of thousands people protest U.S. President Donald Trump in central London.
Demonstrators protesting President Donald Trump's visit sit on the shoulders of what appears to be Trump.
Demonstrators protesting President Donald Trump's visit sit on the shoulders of what appears to be Trump.
A young demonstrator holds a banner calling U.S. President Donald Trump "a super-villain."
A young demonstrator holds a banner calling U.S. President Donald Trump "a super-villain."

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.