British police arrested four protesters on Tuesday night after activists projected images of President Donald J. Trump alongside convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein onto Windsor Castle, where the American leader is set to stay during his state visit.
The group Led by Donkeys, well known in Britain for staging theatrical interventions aimed at politicians, broadcast a video montage for several minutes onto one of the castle’s towers.
The images included Mr. Trump’s mug shot, photographs of Epstein, headlines from American newspapers, and archived footage of the two men together at parties.
Thames Valley Police described the incident as an “unauthorised projection” and a “public stunt.” The four adults were detained on suspicion of malicious communications and remain in custody.
The demonstration drew fresh attention to a controversy Mr. Trump has struggled to escape: his past friendship with Epstein, who was facing trial on charges of sexual exploitation when he died in a Manhattan jail in 2019.
Though Mr. Trump has repeatedly sought to distance himself, opponents have revived the story to question his judgment and associations.
The fallout has now crossed the Atlantic. In Britain, Prime Minister Keir Starmer last week dismissed his ambassador to Washington after reports emerged of the envoy’s long-standing links to Epstein. The resignation marked the first political casualty of the scandal in London, suggesting its resonance is widening beyond the United States.
Even before Air Force One landed at Stansted Airport, demonstrators had begun gathering in Windsor. Dozens lined the streets near the castle with banners and placards, while organizers in London said they expected thousands to protest later in the week.
The president is expected to remain largely shielded from public demonstrations during his two-day visit. On Wednesday, he and the first lady, Melania Trump, will be received at Windsor Castle by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, with formal ceremonies and private meetings planned.
For Mr. Trump, the protests are a familiar backdrop to visits abroad. For Britain, they underline how a domestic controversy in Washington has spilled into its own political sphere, complicating an already delicate moment of diplomacy.
