If you arrive into Britain at a main UK air hub like Heathrow or Gatwick you are greeted by masses of 'Welcome to Britain' signs depicting jolly Beefeaters, saluting Guardsmen and smiling British Bobbies.
Presumably these are aimed at Americans who still seem to believe that the UK is a sort of Dickensian/Mary Poppins theme park populated by lovable urchins and chimney sweeps with Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bangs clogging the roads.
Of course that impression is soon dispelled after checking in to some crappy central London B&B.
President Trump has received a quite different welcome to the UK:
- A march in central London by the Stop Trump Coalition
- Images of Epstein and Trump projected onto Windsor castle
- Channel 4's night of programming dedicated to Trump 'untruths'
London Mayor Sadiq Kahn - a 'stone cold loser' according to Trump - said the visit would fan 'far-right flames' and Trump was a 'poster boy for racists'. So no love lost there then.
This is the President's second state visit but not really one that demonstrates the 'Art of the Comeback'.
Nevertheless, First Lady Melania Trump will upstage everyone. She can come back anytime.
The fact is that these open carriage, slap-up meal and cream tea state visits are an anachronism and many people wish they would go away.
Cucumber sandwiches in Buckingham Palace are not going to resolve the Ukraine war or Britain's immigration crisis, however delicious they may be.