
President Donald Trump arrived at Blenheim Palace in grand style ahead of a gala dinner with US and UK business leaders.

He was pictured arriving in Marine One in a tuxedo alongside First Lady Melania, who is wearing a floor-length, pleated buttercup yellow gown.

Awkwardly grabbing Theresa May's hand - in a replay of their White House meeting last year - Trump was treated to a fanfare welcome by the Welsh, Irish and Scots Guards' bands.

The president was given a performance of Amazing Grace featuring a bagpipe solo during his red-carpet reception as well as Liberty Fanfare and the National Emblem.

The magnificent English country house, which was built in the early 18th century, was the ancestral seat of Sir Winston Churchill, who was born there in 1874.

President Trump arrived at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is in Oxfordshire, in his helicopter at about 7.50pm tonight before being greeted by Theresa May.

Cabinet members were also pictured watching on in formal dress as the president was serenaded by the British Army bands. New foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt was seen arriving at Blenheim with his wife Lucia, while former foreign secretary William Hague is also in attendance.

Earlier today Mr Trump gave an extraordinary press conference in Brussels after giving NATO leaders a bruising over defence cash, where he wrote off protesters and said Theresa May's Brexit deal probably wasn't what Britons voted for.

When asked about the threat of mass demonstrations he said: 'I think it's fine. A lot of people like me there. I think they agree with me on immigration. I think that's why Brexit happened'.

He is expected to be given a tour of Blenheim's grounds by the 12th Duke of Marlborough, Jamie Blandford - also known as Jamie Spencer-Churchill. Pictured: Trump in tux and Melania in her yellow dress

He was pictured getting into Marine One in black tie with First Lady Melania, who was wearing a floor-length, pleated buttercup yellow gown

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are welcomed at Blenheim Palace by Britain Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband Philip May

US First Lady Melania Trump, US President Donald Trump, Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband Philip May stand on steps in the Great Court watching and listening to the bands of the Scots, Irish and Welsh Guards perform a ceremonial welcome

President Trump stands between Theresa May and Melania Trump on the steps of Blenheim Palace this evening before the gala dinner

President Trump and Theresa May hold hands as they ascend the red-carpeted stairs of Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire

Awkwardly grabbing Theresa May hand - in a replay of their White House meeting last year - Trump was treated to a fanfare welcome by the Scots, Irish and Welsh Guards bands

Among those on the guest list are British Petroleum chief executive Bob Dudley, the European boss of Goldman Sachs, Richard Gnodde, and Facebook UK and Ireland boss Steve Hatch. Pictured: Blenheim Palace prepares to welcome the president

The magnificent English country house, which was built in the early 18th century, was the ancestral seat of Sir Winston Churchill, who was born there in 1874. Pictured: Police guarding the entrance to Blenheim Palace

Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband Philip walk down the red carpet to greet the president at Blenheim Palace this evening

President Trump is expected to arrive at the UNESCO World Heritage Site in a helicopter at about 7.30pm tonight and will be greeted by Theresa May

President Trump's Marine One helicopter flies past the Column of Victory at Blenheim Palace as he arrives at the Oxfordshire estate

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and his wife Lucia arrive at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, for a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Theresa May for President Donald Trump

Protesters gathered at the security fence watch as US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump leave in Marine One from the US ambassador's residence, Winfield House

Guests are expected to enjoy a meal of Scottish salmon, English beef and a desert of strawberries and cream. Pictured: William Hague arrives

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson arrives in a tuxedo at Blenheim Palace as President Donald Trump is given a formal welcome

Earlier today the US President described Britain as a 'pretty hot spot right now with a lot of resignations' and suggested his meeting with Vladimir Putin in Helsinki on Monday could be easier.

And he made clear that he did not approve of the softer stance the PM has been advocating despite fury from many Tory MPs.

'Brexit is Brexit, the people voted to break it up so I would imagine that is what they'll do, but they might take a different route, I'm not sure that's what people voted for,' Mr Trump said, adding: 'They're great people - I just want them to be happy. The EU better be careful. I warned them. Immigration is taking over Europe'.

He added it seemed as if the UK was 'getting at least partially involved back with the European Union'.

'I'd like to see them be able to work it out so it could go quickly,' he said.

He is expected to be given a tour of Blenheim's grounds by the 12th Duke of Marlborough, Jamie Blandford - also known as Jamie Spencer-Churchill.

May uses welcome dinner to discuss US-UK trade deal Theresa May has used a lavish welcome dinner for Donald Trump at Blenheim Palace to press her case for an ambitious new trade deal with the US after Brexit. Critics of the Prime Minister's proposals for future relations with the EU claim that her willingness to align with Brussels rules on agricultural produce will block a US deal, as Washington is certain to insist on the inclusion of GM crops and hormone-enhanced beef, which are banned in Europe. But addressing the US president in front of an audience of business leaders at Winston Churchill's birthplace, Mrs May insisted that Brexit provides an opportunity for an 'unprecedented' agreement to boost jobs and growth. Noting that more than one million Americans already work for British-owned firms, she told Mr Trump: '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. Theresa May has used a lavish welcome dinner for Donald Trump at Blenheim Palace to press her case for an ambitious new trade deal with the US after Brexit From left, first lady Melania Trump, President Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband Philip May watch during the arrival ceremony at Blenheim Palace In an apparent plea to the president to remember his allies when he meets Vladimir Putin in Helsinki in Monday, May noted that Britain and America work closely together in the interests of their shared security, 'whether through targeting Daesh terrorists or standing up to Russian aggression' 'It's also an opportunity to tear down the bureaucratic barriers that frustrate business leaders on both sides of the Atlantic. 'And it's an opportunity to shape the future of the world through co-operation in advanced technology, such as artificial intelligence.' Mrs May told him: 'Mr President, Sir Winston Churchill once said that 'to have the United States at our side was, to me, the greatest joy'. 'The spirit of friendship and co-operation between our countries, our leaders and our people, that most special of relationships, has a long and proud history. 'Now, for the benefit of all our people, let us work together to build a more prosperous future.' Mrs May said that the history, language, values and culture shared by the UK and US 'inspire mutual respect' and make the two nations 'not just the closest of allies, but the dearest of friends'. In an apparent plea to the president to remember his allies when he meets Vladimir Putin in Helsinki in Monday, she noted that Britain and America work closely together in the interests of their shared security, 'whether through targeting Daesh terrorists or standing up to Russian aggression'. She also highlighted the importance of trans-Atlantic business links to a president who has sometimes seemed more interested in forging new links with former adversaries around the world, rather than nurturing long-standing partnerships. Britain and the US are the largest investors in each other's economies, with over a trillion dollars of investments between then, said Mrs May. And she told the president: 'The strength and breadth of Britain's contribution to the US economy cannot be understated. Mrs May said that the history, language, values and culture shared by the UK and US 'inspire mutual respect' and make the two nations 'not just the closest of allies, but the dearest of friends' A member of security cleans the limousine of U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at Blenheim Palace this evening 'The UK is the largest investor in the US, providing nearly a fifth of all foreign investment in your country. 'We invest 30% more than our nearest rival. 'More than 20 times what China invests. And more than France and Germany combined. 'That all means a great deal more than simply numbers in bank accounts. 'It means jobs, opportunities and wealth for hardworking people right across America.' British firms represented at the Blenheim banquet alone employ more than 250,000 people in the US, she said. Mrs May was joined at Blenheim by ministers including Chancellor Philip Hammond, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, Trade Secretary Liam Fox, Business Secretary Greg Clark, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling and her effective deputy David Lidington. Boris Johnson missed out on a seat at the table by resigning as foreign secretary on Monday in protest at Mrs May's Brexit policy, though Mr Trump has said he might try to speak to him during his visit. The Countess of Wessex's Orchestra played British and American hits of the 20th century during dinner. Advertisement

Blandford has had a much-publicised struggle with drug addiction - a habit he gave up a decade ago - and has previously been jailed after run-ins with the law.

Last year, he confessed: 'I changed religion when I went to jail. I became a Muslim because you got more food. It wasn't the time of Ramadan. I luckily hit it just right – just afterwards!'

Following his tour, Trump will be joined by his wife Melania at a black tie dinner of about 150 business chiefs.

Melania is wearing a J Mendel SS18 gown costing £5,000.

Guests are expected to enjoy a meal of Scottish salmon, English beef and a desert of strawberries and cream.

As part of the exclusive event, business figures from dozens of FTSE100 firms will have the chance to hear from the Donald as he speaks about his industrial and trading policies.

Among those on the guest list are British Petroleum chief executive Bob Dudley, the European boss of Goldman Sachs, Richard Gnodde, and Facebook UK and Ireland boss Steve Hatch.

Blandford has had a much-publicised struggle with drug addiction - a habit he gave up a decade ago - and has previously been jailed after run-ins with the law

Jamie Spencer-Churchill has previously explained how he gave up hard drugs a decade ago. He is pictured being arrested in 1993

Blenheim's glorious history: From 18th century gift to a victorious general to birthplace of Winston Churchill Presented by Queen Anne to the Duke of Marlborough, John Churchill in 1704, Blenheim Palace has always been a symbol of British pride. The astonishing Oxfordshire pile has seen everything from Sir Winston Churchill’s birth in 1874 to two World Wars in which it acted both as a military hospital and a college for boys. Churchill, who also married his wife, Clementine Hozier at the palace once said: ‘At Blenheim I took two very important decisions; to be born and to marry. I am content with the decision I took on both occasions...’ The baroque-style site set in 11,500 acres was listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1987 and is owned by 13 trustees including Sir Rocco Forte of Rocco Forte Hotels. Currently the 12th Duke of Marlborough, Jamie Blandford, and his family live in a section of the palace, although he does not appear to be on the board of trustees. The astonishing Oxfordshire pile has seen everything from Sir Winston Churchill’s birth in 1874 to two World Wars in which it acted both as a military hospital and a college for boys Churchill, who also married his wife, Clementine Hozier at the palace once said: ‘At Blenheim I took two very important decisions; to be born and to marry. I am content with the decision I took on both occasions...’ In more recent years, Blenheim has been used as a set in a number of blockbuster films. The famous ‘Harry Potter tree’ that appeared in Severus Snape’s flashback scene in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix still stands in the palace grounds, despite fears the ancient Cedar had developed a deadly disease two years ago. The palace’s additional film credits include the James Bond film, Spectre 007, in which it doubled as Rome’s Palazzo Cadenza, and Mission Impossible – Rogue Nation, in which the building’s Green Writing Room acted as the set for a crucial meeting between the British Prime Minister and a secret agent. Perhaps Mission Impossible’s location team were inspired by the events of September 1940, when MI5 used Blenheim Palace as a real-life base. Originally called Woodstock Manor, the land was given to the first Duke of Marlborough by the British in recognition of an English victory over the French in the war of the Spanish Succession. A Column of Victory stands central to the 2,000 acres of parkland and 90 acres of formal garden landscaped by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. At 134ft-tall the monument depicts the first Duke of Marlborough as a Roman General. Meanwhile the magnificent Baroque palace was designed by Sir John Vanbrugh who reportedly aimed to create a ‘naturalistic Versailles’. Advertisement

Insurer Legal and General has two executives travelling to Oxfordshire for tonight's event, namely its CEO Nigel Wilson and head of personal investing, Helena Morrissey.

BlackRock boss Larry Fink and Unilever chief executive Paul Polman will also attend the black-tie evening, as will he chief executive of Barclays, Jes Staley.

There are a number of protesters outside Blenheim Palace demonstrating against the presence of the American president in the UK.

Trump is believed to be a great admirer of Churchill's, having last year demanded that a bust of the wartime leader be returned to the White House after President Obama removed it.

Churchill was a descendant of Sir John Churchill, for whom Blenheim Palace was built in reward for his successes during the War of the Spanish Succession.

It comes after he was said to have given a 'positive' and 'complimentary' speech about England as he addressed US Embassy workers within hours of his arrival in the UK.

Angry anti-Trump activists hold up signs and bang pots and colanders outside the US ambassador's Regent's Park residence

The protesters promised to create a 'wall of sound' outside the official US ambassador's residence. Above, a woman strikes a colander with a ladle while others hold up signs expressing disapprobation of the president

Several protesters hold up their placards outside Blenheim Palace, where President Donald Trump will have dinner tonight

Anti-Trump activists gather outside the 'Ring of Steel' fence put up to secure the president when he stays in Regent's Park, London

He touched down in Britain for his first official visit and has already brushed off mass protests by saying: 'I think they like me a lot in the UK'

He also caused Theresa May a new headache over Brexit.

Most people, a number of whom said they worked at the embassy in London, were tight-lipped as they left a secured area in the park near the US ambassador's residence, where Mr Trump and his wife Melania will stay overnight.

Some cited 'job restrictions' while another said he was wary of the press. But one woman said Mr Trump had given a 'short speech' which she described as 'lovely'.

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania were given a guard of honour by the RAF after arriving in the UK today

Earlier President Trump and Melania walked from Air Force One as they landed at Stansted Airport this afternoon

Britain's most elite counter terrorism police unit CTSFO are also shadowing the US President during his high-profile stay

The exterior of The Trump Arms public house in west London, formally named The Jameson, which has embraced the arrival of US President Donald Trump. Damien Smyth, from County Antrim in Northern Ireland, runs the establishment. He told the i newspaper: 'America is our biggest ally. They're our best friends in the world. They'd be the ones here first if something went wrong – not Germany, not France. I think these people protesting his visit are rude and insulting'

Donald Trump raises his fist in the air as he lands at the US Ambassador's historic London home at the start of his four-day tour

Marine One carrying The Donald and his wife passes the BT Tower and comes in to land at the US Ambassador's central London residence this afternoon

Another man, who did not wish to give his name, said: 'It was very complimentary to England and to the allies that we have, very positive.'

The US President, 72, who will meet the Prime Minister and Queen during a four-day red carpet visit, landed at Stansted Airport on Air Force One at just before 2pm and walked off hand-in-hand with First Lady Melania.

America's Commander-in-Chief has 1,000 of his own staff in the UK and a giant motorcade led by his bomb-proof Cadillac nicknamed 'The Beast' as well as multiple helicopters including Marine One to fly him around.

The President and his First Lady were met on the tarmac by US Ambassador Woody Johnson and UK Trade Secretary Liam Fox before he was whisked off to Mr Johnson's house near Regent's Park.

Earlier today Mr Trump gave an extraordinary press conference in Brussels after giving NATO leaders a bruising over defence cash, where he wrote off protesters and said Theresa May's Brexit deal probably wasn't what Britons voted for.

When asked about the threat of mass demonstrations he said: 'I think it's fine. A lot of people like me there. I think they agree with me on immigration. I think that's why Brexit happened'.

Donald Trump salutes the US Marines who flew him from Stansted to Regent's Park in London on the first day of his four-day tour

Mr Trump and Melania hold hands and talk to US Ambassador Woody Johnson, who will give them a place to stay tonight

Marine One, the President's helicopter, is one of a large number of aircraft he has brought with him for the British visit (shown here landing with him inside)

His aerial entourage followed him, and included an Osprey helicopter carrying elite troops from the US Marine Corps protecting him in the UK

Protesters, meanwhile, are staging a noisy gathering near Winfield House where Trump and his wife Melania are to spend the night.

A large group of demonstrators adopted an alternative version of England's World Cup anthem Three Lions as they sang and shouted, 'He's going home, he's going home, he's going, Trump is going home' in Regent's Park.

A wide range of campaigners, including unions, faith and environmental groups came together to unite in opposition to Mr Trump's visit to the UK, organisers said.

Bells and whistles rang out alongside cheers and claps for speakers throughout the protest, staged near the US ambassador's official residence, as the crowd was encouraged to shout loudly in the hope Mr Trump could hear.

Placards including 'Dump Trump' and 'Trump not welcome' were held aloft by the enthusiastic crowd before some began banging on the metal fence which has been erected in the park.

A clip of what organisers said was the sound of children crying at the US border after being separated from their parents was played and described by those listening as 'disgusting'.

Donald Trump's motorcade speeds through Regent's Park led by elite British police from Scotland Yard

Marine One comes in to land at the US Ambassador's central London residence this afternoon, which sits next door to the London Central Mosque in Regent's Park (minaret pictured)

Days of protests are planned for The Donald's visit, including a march through central London tomorrow and everywhere he is visiting

The 'Nuclear Football' - the suitcase containing the United States' nuclear codes - is shown being carried by a member of Trump's entourage after the president landed in Stansted

This giant and controversial Trump balloon showing the world leader in a nappy will be flying over London this weekend

Sam Fullerton from Oklahoma said while Mr Trump may not see the protest from Winfield House which is set back inside the fenced-off area in the park, he hoped he would hear it or see it on television.

Mr Fullerton said: 'He watches a lot of TV so he'll see it on TV. Or they may be out in the backyard.'

His wife Jami, a Hillary Clinton supporter, said the protest was 'democracy at its finest'.

'I'm here to witness democracy outside of our own country to see how other democratic societies express themselves,' she said.

'I think it's great. The British are pretty gentle people.'

John Rees, of the Stop The War group, described Mr Trump as a 'wrecking ball' as he addressed those gathered.

He said: 'He's a wrecking ball for race relations, he's a wrecking ball for prosperity, he's a wrecking ball for women's rights, he's a wrecking ball for any peace and justice in this world and we have to stop him.'

Some of those gathered said they planned to stay for Mr Trump's return after the First Couple dine at Blenheim Palace with Theresa May.