Donald Trump basked in the pomp and pageantry of his second state visit on Tuesday, complete with marching bands, a Red Arrows flypast and the chance to lay flowers on the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II.

“It’s gonna be a beautiful event. Everyone’s looking forward to it, and we’ll just relax and have a good time,” the US president told reporters travelling with him on board Air Force One a day earlier.

It was a telling moment. He was flying out of a country still coming to terms with the death of Charlie Kirk, a Right-wing campaigner and Trump confidant shot last week.

There is talk of a crackdown on far-Left groups such as Antifa and their donors. Some of the president’s allies are even talking of war.

Mr Trump said he would attend Mr Kirk’s funeral in Arizona and then take action.

“So I’ll be going to the service on Sunday, coming back, and then we’re going in,” he said.