US President Donald Trump's state visit to the United Kingdom this week will be no stranger to controversy, just as his first was six years ago.
Back then, in June 2019, as well as taking tea with the late Queen, the US President called London Mayor Sadiq Khan a stone-cold loser, backed Boris Johnson in a Tory leadership race, and suggested the NHS should be part of US-UK trade talks.
All this was accompanied by a petition saying he should not receive a state visit in the UK, signed by more than one million people, as well as noisy protests involving thousands and a huge inflatable effigy that became known as the Trump Baby.
This week's second state visit – unprecedented for a non-royal - will prove the first was no exception.
There will again be protests and Lord Mandelson's sacking as UK ambassador to the US has already cast a diplomatic pall over proceedings.
Planning for the visit - over Wednesday and Thursday - has gone on for months, but for all the careful preparation, the possibility that things could go wrong is still very real.
For those at the royal end of the show, the focus has been on logistics and security - turning Windsor Castle into a ring of steel hard enough to satisfy even the most fastidious secret service agents.
Such a heavy American presence has led some locals to nickname Windsor Trumpton, after the eponymous town from a 1970s children's TV show.
One of the biggest problems has been finding a suitable location for the Household Cavalry, requiring a space far enough from helicopter landing zones to avoid spooking the horses yet close to allow quick formation for the ceremonial procession.
Attention to detail also stretches to the State Banquet's seating arrangements and menu, which includes nods to President Trump's Scottish heritage.
With 1,300 troops and 120 horses scheduled for the state visit, there is significant expectation surrounding the ceremonial aspects, particularly the optics of the event.
Diplomats express hope for a smooth visit, underscoring a mutual desire for success from both sides. However, concerns remain about Trump's reaction to the Mandelson affair and various political inequalities that challenge the visit's diplomatic goals.
Ultimately, an effort to solidify a favorable UK-US relationship amidst deeply rooted differences will be paramount, as will maintaining a diplomatic edge while managing public sentiment during this highly scrutinized visit.
