Trump and circumstance: US president insists on GOLD-plated welcome with procession down The Mall in the Queen’s royal carriage during his UK visit in October

  • The US President wants the horse-drawn procession to Buckingham Palace
  • The demand represents a security operation on a huge scale for authorities
  • The Met Police are already preparing for the biggest public order operation with protests planned when President Trump arrives in October 

By Rebecca Taylor For Mailonline

Published: 10:54 EDT, 15 April 2017 | Updated: 10:59 EDT, 15 April 2017

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.

President Donald Trump is preparing for a state visit to the UK later this year, marking a huge security operation

President Donald Trump is preparing for a state visit to the UK later this year, marking a huge security operation

He is said to have demanded the royal welcome include a procession to the palace in a gold-plated carriage, which will cause a huge security headache

He is said to have demanded the royal welcome include a procession to the palace in a gold-plated carriage, which will cause a huge security headache

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 granade.

Trump's arrival in the UK is already going to mark a mammoth security operation and the President on the Royal Mile could cause a bigger operation than Xi Jinping's trip

Trump's arrival in the UK is already going to mark a mammoth security operation and the President on the Royal Mile could cause a bigger operation than Xi Jinping's trip

'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. 

Mr Trump is said to be considering a trip to Scotland too, with a visit to Balmoral a possibility. 

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