Melania and Donald Trump's rare display of affection as they land for UK visit

Melania Trump gripped her husband's hand tightly as they disembarked from Air Force One last night in London.

Thepresidential couple crossed the Atlantic yesterday before landing at Essex's Stansted Airport for Trump's unprecedented second state visit to the UK. After arriving at Stansted, the couple were bound for Windsor Castle, where a lavish royal banquet and reception were being laid out as Britain pulls out all the stops to court the erratic US president.

Images showed a rare display of affection between the Commander-in-Chief and his wife Melania who beamed as she trotted hand-in-hand with her husband down the steps of Air Force One.

READ MORE: Donald Trump UK visit LIVE: Today's itinerary as President set to meet King Charles

READ MORE: Donald Trump slammed by Rebekah Vardy after she reunites with Jamie abroad

When they reached the bottom of the steps, they were welcomed in to the country with a full guard of honour with RAF personnel from The King’s Colour Squadron lining up on either side of the corridor. They were then met by chief UK ministers and dignitaries, including foreign secretary Yvette Cooper.

Melania, who was wearing a sartorial sand-coloured trench coat, put on her best 'blue steel' impression as she marched along the corridor of British troops as the UK pulled out all the stops for the visit. The couple kept their hands closely entwined throughout the display - a rare display of affection - however some have said Melania's tight grip could have been an effort to camouflage bruising on the president's hand.

In recent months, photographs of the president's hand have raised concerns over his health, with some experts saying the bruising is from an intravenous catheter. During a US army parade back in June, Melania and Trump held hands and smiled throughout - but a body language expert suggested the outward display may be hiding "tension" between the couple.

Renowned body language expert Judi James observed: "Her left hand seems to perform a small ritual that suggests inner tension, or she lifts it to preen her hair as it wafts in the breeze. When Trump is seated, it looks like another day in the White House office.

"While Melania performs a wide, Duchenne smile, his smile is the lip-clamped, acknowledging version and his posture slumps as he rests his elbows on his thighs and splays his knees with his hands forming a downward steeple gesture."

The Trumps are arriving for a state visit full of pomp and ceremony, and behind it will be a major security operation including a massive motorcade with 'the Beast' at the centre. Windsor Castle staff are setting the mahogany table, grooms have buffed the hooves of the horses that will pull the royal carriages, and the military honour guard has been drilled to ensure every step lands with precision.

Everything has been put in place as King Charles entertains Trump for his second state visit with tiaras, brass bands and banquets, with the aim of bolstering ties at a strained moment internationally over trade and security.