The horses are glossy, well-shod and trained to withstand the roar of the Marine One helicopter landing nearby – all 80 of them the equine contingent of the massive show of glitz and pomp which, as part of the cavalry salute, will await President Trump and the First Lady.

The state visit , which begins tomorrow, is minutely planned to ensure a safe setting in Home Park, Windsor, far de-risking a sensitive guest being exposed to civilian displeasure in London or meeting Maga-critical MPs.

But the fallout from Lord Mandelson’s abrupt removal as US ambassador, as a welter of damning details of his closeness to the late sex abuser and trafficker Jeffery Epstein escalated, is a turbulent ghost at this feast.

The risk to Keir Starmer, who needs to keep a brave face on the visit as a hos

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