The President touched down at Stansted yesterday afternoon - and went on to have dinner with the Prime Minister at Blenheim Palace
THERESA May yesterday rolled out the red carpet for Donald Trump with a massive gala dinner at one of Britain's most historic homes.
The PM welcomed the US President and his wife Melania to Churchill's birthplace, Blenheim Palace.
The pair were joined by dozens of businessmen and other dignitaries as Mrs May made a pitch for an ambitious free-trade deal with the US.
The meeting happened just hours before The Sun published a world exclusive interview with the President where he warned Mrs May might have killed off a trade deal with the USA over her plans for Brexit.
Mr Trump also revealed Mrs May ignored his advice over negotiations with Europe, saying: "I actually told Theresa May how to do it but she didn’t agree, she didn’t listen to me."
Earlier today, Mr Trump flew in to Stansted Airport - greeted by a military guard of honour - before heading to London for talks with the American ambassador.
Mrs May, who was wearing a diabetic patch on her arm, held hands with Mr Trump in scenes reminiscent of their first meeting
Mr Trump led Mrs May up the Blenheim stairsHe then took a helicopter to Blenheim, in Oxfordshire, to be met with the full pomp of the British state on the first evening of his historic tour of the country.
The President was dressed in smart black tie for the event this evening, while Melania donned a glamorous off-the-shoulder lemon dress.
The Trumps were greeted in the courtyard by Mrs May - dressed in red - and her husband Philip for the dinner in the President's honour.
Mr Trump and Mrs May clasped each other by the hands in scenes reminiscent of their first meeting at the White House last year.
They then stood on the steps of the house and watched as a military band played to welcome the President.
The bands of the Scots Guards, Welsh Guards and Irish Guards played music including Amazing Grace in front of the VIP crowd.
After the performance was over, the leaders applauded before going in for dinner.
Trump's Europe visit so far:
Other guests at the event, which was formally hosted by the Duke of Marlborough who owns the property, included a number of senior ministers.
Chancellor Philip Hammond, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson and Trade Secretary Liam Fox were all there.
Mrs May's diabetes monitor could be seen on her arm as she welcomed the President.
The small patch constantly monitors the PM's blood sugar and alerts her if it's getting too high or low, allowing Mrs May to take action.
The Prime Minister was diagnosed with diabetes six years ago and has been open about her struggle with the condition.
During dinner, Mrs May made an impassioned speech asking Mr Trump to move quickly to cut a trade deal with Britain after Brexit.
She said: "There are thousands of British employers with a long-term presence in the US, providing well-paid work and driving economic growth in every state.
"Altogether, from Maine to Alaska, more than a million Americans work for British companies.
"Now, as we prepare to leave the European Union, we have an unprecedented opportunity to do more.
"It’s an opportunity to reach a free trade agreement that creates jobs and growth here in the UK and right across the United States."
The guests dined on Scottish salmon then beef, followed by strawberries and clotted cream ice cream.
After dinner, Mr Trump was scheduled to go on a tour of the house's Winston Churchill exhibition, in the company of the Duke of Marlborough.
Mr Trump arrived at Stansted Airport near London on Air Force One at 2pm today, accompanied by his wife and a huge entourage.
The couple were met by US ambassador Woody Johnson, the Trade Secretary Liam Fox and a military guard, before being whisked away on a helicopter which was waiting on the Tarmac.
Their first stop was the ambassador's official residence in London, Winfield House, which has been surrounded by an ultra-secure ring of steel to keep out protesters.
They then took a helicopter to Blenheim Palace for the gala dinner.
The trip is not a full-blown state visit - but it will see the President meet the Queen for the first time and feature a tour of historic homes around the UK.
Mr Trump has dismissed the possibility of having his trip seriously disrupted by leftie activists - insisting he's actually very popular in Britain.
Asked if he was worried about the protests, he replied: "I think it's fine. I think they like me a lot in the UK.
"I think they agree with me on immigration. I am very strong on immigration."
This morning, Mr Trump spoke out against Mrs May's Brexit plan which she crafted at Chequers - saying, "I don’t know if that’s what they voted for".
Speaking at a Nato summit in Brussels before he jumped on his official plane, he made it clear he doesn't approve of Mrs May's "soft Brexit" compromise.
Mr Trump told a press conference: "Well Brexit is, I’ve been reading a lot about Brexit over the last couple of days.
"And it seems to be turning a little bit differently, where they’re getting at least partially involved back with the European Union."
A journalist then asked if he was backing a “hard Brexit”, but the president misheard – thinking he had asked if it was “heart-breaking”, he replied: “That might be going a little too far!”
Picking it up the theme he mused: “Is it heart-breaking? A lot of things are heart-breaking, no what I would say is that ‘Brexit is Brexit’.
“You know when you use the term ‘hard Brexit’ that’s what I assume that you mean.
“The people voted to break it up so I would imagine that what they’ll do, but maybe they’re taking a little bit of a different route.
“So, I don’t know if that’s what they voted for.”
He added: “I just want the people to be happy, they’re great people.”
Mr Trump's comments came as the UK Government prepared to publish a long-awaited white paper laying out its negotiating position in upcoming talks with Brussels.
The paper fleshes out Mrs May's proposals agreed by the Cabinet at her country home of Chequers last week, which would see the UK keep existing European rules on goods, as well as creating a tariff-free customs zone between Britain and the EU.
The plans were intended to unite the Tories - but instead they led to the resignation of senior ministers Boris Johnson and David Davis.
The PM now faces a mass rebellion from her own MPs, with Brexit backers furious at what they see as a sellout of her previous promises.
Asked about Mr Trump's criticism, a spokesman for Mrs May said: "The plan that we have put forward we believe is what people voted for and takes back control of our money, laws and borders, and allows us to strike free trade deals around the world."
The Prime Minister plans to confront the President tomorrow and will try to win him round to backing the Chequers plan.
Mr Trump's press conference followed a Nato summit where he declared victory in his mission to persuade European leaders they need to spend more cash on defence.
The President said the US could leave the alliance if other countries' don't live up to their commitments to spend at least 2 per cent of GDP on the military.
Among the demonstrations being planned for his visit is a giant blimp showing Mr Trump as a baby, which was controversially approved by London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Tomorrow Mr Trump and Mrs May will visit the Sandhurst military academy and hold talks at her country home, Chequers.
He will then have tea with the Queen at Windsor Castle, before heading to Scotland where he'll spend the weekend at his Turnberry golf course in Ayrshire.
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