The British press is going ape over President Trump’s insistence that protocol be maintained on his visit to Great Britain in October, with a horse-drawn procession down the mall in the Queen’s royal carriage.
It’s an honor reserved for heads of state, but is usually refused due to security concerns.
If it were up to most Britons, Trump would be forced to sneak into the capital and maintain a low profile during his visit. This is not the president’s intent and it is likely he will also request that he be allowed to address the British parliament.
Donald Trump has demanded a carriage procession down the Mall as an essential element for his state visit.
The US President is said to have ‘made it clear’ that the gold-plated carriage procession to Buckingham Palace should go ahead, marking an unprecedented security operation.
According to the Times, the security required by Chinese president Xi Jinping in 2015 will be dwarfed by the operation needed for the American leader.
The Metropolitan Police are already said to be preparing for the ‘biggest public order operation in several years’ as protests are expecting when President Trump visits the UK in October.
A source told the Times: ‘The vehicle which carries the president of the United States is a spectacular vehicle, designed to withstand a massive attack like a low-level rocket grenade.
‘If he’s in that vehicle he is incredibly well protected and on top of that he can travel at enormous speed.
‘If he is in a golden coach being dragged up the Mall by a couple of horses, the risk factor is dramatically increased.’
As President, Barack Obama turned down the option of the horse-drawn procession, wishing to avoid the security headache.
He arrived in an armoured motorcade, which was a change to usual protocol.
Trump is absolutely correct to insist on all the pomp and circumstance associated with a state visit. He is the American president — head of state, political leader, and commander-in-chief of the American armed forces. Anything less than complete adherence to protocols would be an insult to the government and people of the United States.
It doesn’t matter what personal animus is being directed against President Trump by British leaders and the people. They need to grow up and get over it. There’s nothing wrong with protesting the president’s visit — that’s to be expected. But calling for denying the American president what he is rightfully due as the representative of Great Britain’s longest and closest ally only makes your government look small and petty.
As for President Trump, love him or hate him, he has never backed down from a challenge like this and we shouldn’t expect him to start now.
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