Trump demanding ride in queen’s gold carriage during Buckingham Palace visit: report
President Donald Trump is creating security concerns over his visit to meet with the Queen of England because he wants to ride in her golden carriage.
According to the Times of London, the White House has let Buckingham Palace officials know that Trump is very interested in being part of a carriage procession up the Mall during his October visit.
British security services are balking, saying the president’s wish is presenting them with “monster” problems is helping to keep the U.S. president safe.
London Metropolitan Police have already been making plans for Trump’s visit, expecting tens of thousands of protesters to descend on the procession route. Their preference is for Trump to make use of a bullet and bomb-proof car that was previously used by former President Barack Obama.
“The vehicle which carries the president of the United States is a spectacular vehicle. It is designed to withstand a massive attack like a low-level rocket grenade,” a police source explained. “If he’s in that vehicle he is incredibly well protected and on top of that it can travel at enormous speed. If he is in a golden coach being dragged up the Mall by a couple of horses, the risk factor is dramatically increased.”
“There may well be protections in that coach such as bulletproof glass, but they are limited. In particular it is very flimsy,” the source continued. “It would not be able to put up much resistance in the face of a rocket propelled grenade or high-powered ammunition. Armour-piercing rounds would make a very bad show of things.”
According to the report, the local police are already working with Secret Service advance teams and will be providing elite anti-terrorism teams to help protect Trump.