Donald Trump has tea with 'tremendous' Queen

Donald Trump has met Queen Elizabeth, enjoying some British pomp and pageantry in what was the highlight of his UK visit.

The US president met the Queen at Windsor Castle and, instead of the scheduled 30 minutes, the two - along with First Lady Melania - spent around 45 minutes together.

The Trumps had landed in the castle grounds on his official helicopter Marine One, before being taken to the courtyard in a chauffeured Range Rover, where the Queen and the Coldstream Guards were waiting.

There were handshakes, smiles and the US national anthem was played by the military band as the Trumps placed their hands over their hearts.

Unlike with Prime Minister Theresa May earlier in the day and in previous meetings, Mr Trump did not attempt to hold the hand of his female host as they came down the stairs to inspect the troops.

It has been said the US president struggles with stairs and this is the reason he has been seen clutching Mrs May's hand whenever he descends.

As the Queen and Mr Trump reviewed the troops, a rare honour for a visiting head of state, the American let the royal take the lead, slowing his pace to match the 92-year-old monarch.

Then they headed indoors and away from the cameras for their meeting over tea.

Mr Trump has previously spoken of his admiration for the Queen, telling The Sun that she is a "tremendous woman".

He added: "If you think of it, for so many years she has represented her country, she has really never made a mistake.

"You don't see, like, anything embarrassing. She is just an incredible woman."

Earlier in the day, Mr Trump visited the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst where he and Theresa May watched a display of special forces from both the UK and the US.

This visit was not open to the media.

He also spent time at Chequers, the prime minister's country residence, where he sought to heal wounds inflicted by an explosive newspaper interview in which he had said Mrs May's Brexit plans would kill any trade deal with the US and that Boris Johnson would be a "great prime minister".

At Chequers, he said the PM was "incredible" and "doing a fantastic job", adding that, regarding Brexit, "whatever you do is OK with me".

Throughout the day, tens of thousands of people protested against his visit in cities and towns across the country but the Trumps' schedule avoided these events.

Mrs Trump mingled with school pupils and veterans, playing bowls during an outing with Theresa May's husband Philip earlier on Friday.

The couple are now spending the weekend at one of Trump's golf courses in Scotland ahead of his meeting with Vladimir Putin on Monday in Finland.