How Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK will be policed from the skies

Donald Trump’s second visit to the UK will see a major policing operation led by drones from the airspace over Windsor, police have said.

The King is to host the US president and his wife, first lady Melania Trump, at Windsor Castle from September 17 to 19, where they will be feted with a ceremonial welcome and state banquet.

A 24/7 policing operation will be in place in the Berkshire town during the event, with a temporary order restricting the airspace from September 16 – when the state visit rehearsal is to take place – until September 18.

This means non-police drones and smaller aircraft cannot fly through the protected area, Thames Valley Police officers said on Monday during a drone-flying demonstration at the force’s training centre in Sulhamstead, Berkshire.

“It’s a significant policing operation for us,” Inspector Matthew Wilkinson, airspace bronze commander for Thames Valley Police, said.

“However Thames Valley Police is proud to host these events and we have a good history of putting on these events for both the Royal Family and the country.”

Asked about the scale of the drone operation for the US president’s state visit compared to other high profile events, Insp Wilkinson replied: “It’s one of the larger ones.

“It’s in line with other large-scale events we’ve put on as a force.

“Obviously every event carries on its own challenges and threats, and we’ll assess that and resource it accordingly.”

Speaking on the restricted airspace order, Insp Wilkinson said the public in Windsor will be kept informed.

“We are engaging with the local businesses, local communities, hobbyist drone enthusiasts, gliding schools and things like that, to try and share that message, so it’s not a surprise for anybody,” he said.

“Obviously it’s an offence to fly a drone in a restricted airspace and we will have resources to deal with any of those incursions.

“We will have plenty of capability in the sky when the time is appropriate,” he said, adding the drones will act as an “eye in the sky” during the event.

The DJIM 30T model introduced during the demonstration on Monday is already used by police on a day-to-day basis, usually as part of missing persons inquiries and drug warrants, officers said.

Each drone can fly up to 120 metres (400ft) and is expected to stay up for 30 minutes at a time during the operation, with the replacement drone taking off shortly before the end of that period so as not to lose coverage.

The event will be Mr Trump’s second state visit to the UK – an unprecedented gesture towards a US president, having previously been feted by a state visit in 2019.

His first trip to the UK saw thousands of people turn out on the streets in London in opposition, and protests are also expected to take place next week.

The Stop Trump Coalition are to stage a mass demonstration in central London on the first day of the trip, with a further protest planned near Windsor Castle.

Published: 09/09/2025 by Radio NewsHub