Pictures: President Trump Lays Wreath at Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 03: US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, alongsi
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President Donald Trump laid a wreath at, and prayed over the interred remains of an unknown combatant of the Great War of 1914-1918 on Monday morning, during a visit to Westminster Abbey on his State Visit to the United Kingdom.

The visit to the Abbey, the historic place of burial and coronations for English and British Kings and Queens for nearly 1,000 years, was hosted by British Royal Prince Andrew and the chapter officers of the Abbey itself. President Trump was driven from Buckingham Palace, where he had eaten lunch with Queen Elizabeth II, to the Abbey in the Presidential motorcade in a journey along the Mall and Horse Guard’s which took a little less than two minutes to complete.

Britain’s Sky News reported pro-Trump supporters outnumbered antis outside Buckingham Palace as the President’s car drew by, but noted protests against President Trump are expected in London tomorrow.

LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 03: US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump pay their respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey on June 3, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Once at the Abbey, which significantly predates the establishment of the modern British state and has roots in the 10th century, President Trump ceremonially laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior and joined in prayers.

The oversize wreath was lowered into position by two U.S. Marines for the President, who knelt with the First Lady to lay their hands on the flowers before praying.

The President and his family were then given a tour of the Abbey, which is the resting place of thousands of notable Britons including leading figures in the military and arts, as well as Royals, before departing to take afternoon tea with Prince Charles, who is first in line to the throne after the Queen.

LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 03: US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, alongside Prince Andrew, Duke of York (L) pay their respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey on June 3, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior holds the mortal remains of an unidentified British soldier who was killed in France during the Great, or First World War. The body was interred with full state honours, having been transported from the European battlefield, in 1920 as a focus for collective national grief and mourning, and a tomb for the thousands of families whose loved ones who were killed and remains remained missing.

The Unknown Warrior was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honour by the United States the following year, the medal was on display today for the President to inspect.

President Trump is on a three day State Visit to the United Kingdom, a guest of Her Majesty the Queen. After a full state banquet tonight with the Royal Family and 170 guests, the President is expected to have a day of high-level political meetings tomorrow.

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