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Trump said that Queen Elizabeth was "a very tall woman … a constant symbol of these invaluable traditions"
Donald Trump praised Queen Elizabeth II as "great, great woman" as the British monarch held Monday a lavish banquet for the US president to kick off his state visit to three days.
The Trump dynasty attended a glittering dinner with the British royal family in the ballroom of Buckingham Palace as the UK rolled out the red carpet.
Trump and the 93-year-old sovereign both praised the common bond between Britain and the United States.
But the heat was not shared at all levels, with mbad protests scheduled for Tuesday, opposition politicians boycotting the banquet and the trip starting with a row between the mayor of London Trump and Sadiq Khan.
Trump's visit is centered on the 75th anniversary of D-Day and the liberation of Europe during the Second World War.
"By honoring our common victory and heritage, we affirm the common values that will unite us for a long time into the future," he said at the banquet.
"Freedom, sovereignty, self-determination, the rule of law and respect for the rights Almighty God has given us."
He said that Queen Elizabeth was "a very great woman … a constant symbol of these invaluable traditions", which embodied British "dignity, duty and patriotism".
Queen Elizabeth said that Britain and the United States had established post-war international institutions for "countries working together to safeguard a hard-won peace."
The monarch said the two countries are united by their security, shared heritage, strong cultural ties and strong economic ties.
"I am convinced that our common values and common interests will continue to unite us."
"Great love all around"
The British ruler had previously welcomed Trump and his wife Melania with a military guard at a rich day of ceremonies and personal touches.
The monarch organized a private lunch for the couple and showed them the royal art collection, before the sparkling banquet.
Trump seemed to enjoy the visit, turning to Twitter during his free time.
"The trip to London is going really well, the queen and the whole royal family have been fantastic, and the relationship with the UK is very strong," he said.
"I have not seen any demonstrations yet, but I'm sure the bad news will work hard to find them, a great love all around."
But the day began with controversy, because even before his plane landed, the president criticized Khan, who revived Sunday the fang comparing Trump to fascists of the twentieth century.
In return, Trump called him a "crazy loser," who had done a "terrible job" as mayor of London.
Eight members of the Trump dynasty were at the state banquet. The four elders of Trump's five children joined 16 members of the royal family and business leaders at the U-shaped table.
They dined on a steamed halibut fillet, followed by a new season lamb Windsor lamb, strawberry and lemon zest and fresh fruit.
Planned events
Trump's visit comes at a difficult time for Britain. Theresa May must leave her post as Prime Minister in the coming weeks for her treatment of Brexit.
Trump weighed in the stalemate over the weekend, saying he'd be sure he could not get an agreement that pleased him.
"A big trade deal is possible once the UK has gotten rid of its chains – it's already starting to talk!" he tweeted on Monday.
The "special relationship" between the United Kingdom and the United States was already put to the test by various approaches to Iran, the use of Chinese technology in 5G networks, climate change and the Trump's personal politics.
May announced his impending resignation last month after failing to pbad his plan for Brexit through parliament and twice delaying Britain's departure.
Trump's first official visit to Britain last year was also marked by criticisms of Brexit's May strategy and large-scale protests.
The organizers of the event hope for a resumption of demonstrations on Tuesday, during which they will fly again a bright orange balloon "Baby Trump".
Labor opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn boycotted the national banquet, along with other opposition leaders and John Bercow, Speaker of the House of Commons of Parliament.
Corbyn instead made the decision to speak at the last minute during Tuesday's anti-Trump protests, calling them "an opportunity to show solidarity with those he attacked," including Khan.
On Wednesday May, Trump will join other world leaders in Portsmouth's English Harbor to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings, which changed the course of the Second World War.
(With the exception of the title, this story was not changed by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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