Windsor Castle, a symbol of British tradition and royal grandeur, found itself at the heart of a political storm this week as images of U.S. President Donald Trump and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were projected onto its storied stone walls. The incident, which took place late on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, came just hours before President Trump’s much-publicized second state visit to the United Kingdom, hosted by King Charles at the royal residence.
The striking nine-minute projection sequence didn’t go unnoticed. Thames Valley Police responded swiftly, arresting four men—aged 60, 50, and 36 from East Sussex and London, and a 37-year-old from Kent—on suspicion of malicious communications. The group responsible, the political campaigners Led By Donkeys, called the arrests "a ridiculous overreaction," with a spokesperson telling the PA news agency, "My colleagues were arrested for malicious communications, which seems ridiculous, because we've done 25 or 30 projections before, no one's ever been arrested. I think they've been arrested for embarrassing Donald Trump." According to Thames Valley Police, the four remained in custody as the investigation continued, underscoring the seriousness with which authorities treat unauthorized activity around Windsor Castle.
The projections, which activists described as a "public stunt," included not only images of Trump and Epstein but also the text of a controversial birthday letter allegedly written by Trump to Epstein over 20 years ago. This note, made public by Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives on September 8, 2025, was said to have been included in a 2003 "birthday book" for Epstein. The letter, which the White House has denied is authentic, contained text referring to Epstein as a "pal" and included the line, "May every day be another wonderful secret," alongside a crude sketch of a naked woman. The activists also projected images of Epstein’s victims, news clips about the case, and police reports, aiming to highlight the ongoing questions surrounding Epstein’s connections to powerful individuals.
President Trump has consistently denied writing the note or having any inappropriate relationship with Epstein. Nonetheless, the renewed attention to their past association has become a political thorn in his side, especially as he seeks to focus on the ceremonial aspects of his historic state visit. Trump and Epstein were known to be friends in the 1990s and early 2000s, though Trump has asserted that he banned Epstein from his Mar-a-Lago club around 2000. However, investigative reports indicate Epstein was formally removed from the club in 2007. The Trump Organization has confirmed Epstein visited Mar-a-Lago but maintains he was never a member.
The timing of the protest was no accident. President Trump’s visit marked the first time a U.S. president has been honored with two state visits to the UK—a fact Trump himself noted while speaking to journalists mid-flight: "It's the first time this has ever happened where somebody was honoured twice. So, it's a great honour." He added, "My relationship is very good with the UK, and Charles, as you know, who's now King, is my friend. Everybody is looking forward to it. You're going to have the best pictures."
But the images projected onto Windsor Castle were not the only acts of protest. Earlier that same day, activists unfurled a massive banner featuring Trump and Epstein near the castle, while a van displaying the message "Welcome to the UK, Donald" alongside their images was seen in Windsor on Wednesday morning. Meanwhile, two men were arrested for breaching temporary airspace restrictions by flying drones in the area, highlighting the heightened security measures in place for the visit.
The president’s 48-hour itinerary was packed with ceremonial events but notably absent of public-facing engagements. Upon arrival in London, Trump stayed at the U.S. ambassador’s residence before heading to Windsor, where he was greeted by King Charles on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. The Prince and Princess of Wales met the president and First Lady Melania Trump in the grounds of the Windsor estate. The day’s events included lunch with members of the Royal Family, a visit to Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb, and a lavish state banquet at the castle. The Queen, who had missed the Duchess of Kent’s funeral due to acute sinusitis, was expected to recover in time to attend the royal festivities.
Behind the scenes, the Metropolitan Police prepared for what they described as "a significant operation" in central London, with more than 1,600 officers deployed and as many as 50 protest groups expected to participate in demonstrations. The Stop Trump Coalition was among those planning large-scale protests, and a small group of protesters from Fossil Free London interrupted a dinner organized by Republicans Overseas UK in Windsor, chanting and unfurling a banner reading "Oily Money Kills."
The renewed scrutiny of Trump’s past ties to Epstein was further fueled by the recent sacking of the UK’s ambassador to the U.S., Lord Peter Mandelson, over his own relationship with Epstein—a reminder of the far-reaching implications of the so-called “Epstein files.” Epstein, who died by suicide in a Manhattan jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges of sexually abusing and trafficking underage girls, left behind a legacy that continues to implicate high-profile figures. According to BBC, in 2002 Trump was quoted as calling Epstein a "terrific guy" who liked the company of "younger" women, a statement that has only added to the controversy.
Chief Superintendent Felicity Parker of Thames Valley Police summed up the official response: "We take any unauthorised activity around Windsor Castle extremely seriously." The arrests and the robust police presence underscored the delicate balance between protest and security, especially during high-profile state visits.
As the president prepared to leave Windsor for the prime minister’s country residence, Chequers, on Thursday, September 18, 2025, the events surrounding his visit served as a stark reminder that the intersection of politics, protest, and public memory is rarely straightforward. While the state visit aimed to celebrate the enduring relationship between the U.S. and the UK, the shadows cast—literally and figuratively—by the images on Windsor Castle ensured that questions about accountability and transparency remained very much in the spotlight.
The projections may have lasted only minutes, but the debates they reignited about power, privilege, and the enduring legacy of scandal are likely to linger long after the royal banquet tables have been cleared.