U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to arrive in the United Kingdom within hours but some experts are concerned about the security challenges that come with the highly-contested state visit. Street protests are expected to take place amid his visit.
For Former Head of Counter-Terrorism at Scotland Yard, Richard Walton, Trump's three-day stay in Britain will pose serious challenges for London police.
"It's not just the normal threat of some violence and you've got the assassination risk; it's also a threat and risk really around protests and the level of that protest," Walton told CBS News.
Another security challenge that local authorities may need to overcome is Trump's expected attendance at Queen Elizabeth's state banquet at Buckingham Palace. Former Police Bodyguard to the Queen, Simon Morgan, said police may experience "complex" struggles amid protests against Trump's U.K. visit.
On Sunday evening, reports about Trump's alleged comments against Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, emerged. The former business mogul's statements are expected to brush shoulders with his critics and royal spectators who have a strong sense of protection for Britain's royals.
According to CNN, Trump was taped calling the wife of Prince Harry "nasty" but he tweeted on Sunday morning that he "never" dropped the comments. Trump made the comment after the interviewer asked him about what he thought of the Duchess describing him as "misogynistic" in the past.
Political experts further predicted that Trump may gain criticism after he said in a Sunday Times interview that Prime Minister Theresa May, who will soon step down from her post, should not submit to the European Union's (EU) request of paying $49 billion for Brexit.
Trump also suggested that May and her government should sue the bloc for its demands. "They've got to get it done. They have to get the deal closed," he was quoted to have said in the interview.
Aside from heaping praise on former London Mayor Boris Johnson, the U.S. president also said he would offer a U.S.-U.K. trade deal if a no deal Brexit comes out of the chaotic negotiations.
Ahead of Trump's state visit, May said there is a need to improve ties with the United States, adding that the American chief's visit is "an opportunity" to further enhance cooperation between both sides.
Meanwhile, protests are already planned to for kick off once Trump lands at the London Stansted Airport. According to BBC News, rallies are expected to take place in London first, then in Nottingham, in Manchester, Birmingham, and Belfast.
Trump's U.K. itinerary includes a tour of Westminster Abbey and a tea meeting with Prince Charles and his wife at Clarence House. He is also expected to meet the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The Duchess of Sussex will not attend the state banquet.
