Donald Trump’s second state visit to the UK was a rare honour and the security surrounding it unprecedented. The killing of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk and the attempt on Trump’s life last year led to an extreme state of alert. But what’s the publicity value of a state visit if you have to be kept away from the disgruntled citizens of the country that is supposed to welcome you? On his last state visit, the president was greeted by the baby blimp, a six-metre-high balloon of an orange Trump in a nappy, which floated over London as many residents protested. When Emmanuel Macron hosted King Charles III at Versailles, the banquet in the Hall of Mirrors for 160 dignitaries cost some €475,000.