Ahead of President Donald Trump’s unprecedented second state visit to the United Kingdom, protesters unveiled a large banner emblazoned with an image of Trump and the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on the lawn outside Windsor Castle. The very location where the U.S. President and his wife, Melania, will be hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
The political campaign group Everyone Hates Elon has claimed responsibility for the act and thanked the public for donating towards the cost of the banner, which has since been removed.
“Trump’s supporters are tearing themselves apart over the Epstein files. Now he’s hoping to escape it all to have tea with the King,” said a spokesperson for Everyone Hates Elon, adding that the group intends to “make sure Epstein haunts” the President wherever he goes.
Local police have put in preparations ready to respond to any possible “high-level threat.”
“The security provision in place for supporting any state visit, including this one, was always supporting a high-level threat. We have very comprehensive policing operation considering every eventuality on what could happen,” a Thames Valley Police spokesperson told TIME on Tuesday.
Thames Valley Police previously announced on Monday that its firearms unit had been deployed to Windsor as part of its “comprehensive security operation” ahead of and during the presidential visit. The force has also deployed its specialist search unit, which will continue to work throughout the President’s stay in Windsor.
Trump’s former relationship with convicted sex offender Epstein recently came under the spotlight again after a birthday letter, alleged to have been signed by Trump and addressed to Epstein, was published. It was one of several letters said to be written by high-profile figures for a book celebrating Epstein’s 50th birthday in 2003.
The White House staunchly denied that Trump wrote Epstein the birthday note, but stopped short of calling the documents fake.
Among the letters was a note from Peter Mandelson, who served as the U.K. ambassador to the U.S. until he was sacked last week after new information about his relationship with Epstein came to light. In addition to a birthday note, several emails were uncovered showing an extensive correspondence between the former ambassador and Epstein between 2005 and 2010. Mandelson was shown to be supportive of Epstein whilst he was facing charges for sexual abuse.
Read More: Mandelson Says Being U.K. Ambassador to U.S. Was ‘Privilege’ of His Life After Being Sacked Over Epstein Emails
Trump and Epstein socialised together decades ago. However, after Epstein’s 2019 arrest on federal sex trafficking charges, Trump made strides to distance himself. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office in 2019, he said: “I had a falling out with him [Epstein]. I haven’t spoken to him in 15 years. I was not a fan of his, that I can tell you.”
But the topic remains a prominent one for Trump, especially amid growing calls for Congress to release the full Epstein files. In fact, Trump’s former relationship with the disgraced financier has become a firm focal point among some protesters in the U.K.
As Trump prepares to visit the U.K. from Sept. 17-19, here’s a look at the protests planned ahead of, and during, his stay.
Photos of Trump and Epstein placed near the U.S. embassy
In July, Everyone Hates Elon displayed an image of Trump with Epstein, the same photo used for the banner in Windsor, at a bus stop in Nine Elms, near the U.S. embassy in London.
“It would be such a shame for Donald if this photo of Trump with Jeffrey Epstein appeared absolutely everywhere on his tour of the U.K. It would truly be such a huge shame if everyone donated to make that happen,” the group said alongside a video of the photo being installed.
A new poster appeared in the same place in early September, showcasing the same image but this time with a quote from Trump speaking about Epstein in 2002. “Terrific guy, he’s a lot of fun. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the young side,” read the quote.
Read More: Trump and Epstein Photo Is Placed Near U.S. Embassy in London
Stop Trump Protest In London
A protest organized by the Stop Trump Coalition is scheduled in central London on Wednesday, Sept. 17 with a number of groups expected to attend. Protesters are set to gather at 2 p.m., local time, followed by a march finishing outside the British Parliament.
The march has been divided into groups, depending on what causes demonstrators are supporting.
During Trump’s last state visit to the U.K in 2019, demonstrators gathered in London for a day of protests against the President’s stay. A large balloon depicting “Baby Trump” could be seen floating above the crowds. The much-discussed balloon has since been donated to the Museum of London.
An estimated 250,000 people took part in the 2019 rally, and a spokesperson for the Coalition told TIME that a “very large turnout” is expected for the upcoming protest.
“We are protesting against this undeserved state visit to make sure the world knows this is not done in our name. The U.K. government is rolling out the red carpet so we want to show the massive opposition to Trump and creeping fascism,” the spokesperson claimed.
Local protests are also planned on Wednesday in a number of cities across the U.K. including Cardiff, Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle.
Further imagery of Trump and Epstein in Windsor
With Trump set to stay in Windsor Castle, one of the main residences of the British royal family, preparations from protesters are also underway in the town just outside of London.
Everyone Hates Elon have shared videos of merchandise showcasing images of Trump and Epstein together. Mugs and satirical commemorative plates are some of the items that can be seen on display in a local gift shop.
The Stop Trump Coalition has also organized a protest in Windsor at 6 p.m., local time, on Sept. 16, ahead of Trump’s expected arrival the following day.
Specific rallies have been organized in line with the walkout, including in Liverpool with speakers from other groups such as the Liverpool Trades Council and Merseyside Pensioners Association set to join the protests.
In London, demonstrators are also taking part in a march nearby where the Stop Trump Coalition protest is set to take place.
Adam Gillman, Socialist Students’ national organizer, said: “We can send a powerful message to young people and workers in America that we stand with them against Trump—not with Starmer, who issued the invite for this state visit.”