Queen’s lawn ‘ruined’ by Trump’s helicopters: report

When Scott Morrison arrived to visit the Queen, she didn’t waste any time in taking him outside and showing him what Donald Trump had done to her lawn.

On his recent state visit to England, US President Donald Trump insisted on flying into Buckingham Palace by helicopter twice in one day, apparently damaging the Queen’s grass.

She is said to have not been amused.

The Marine One helicopter, which landed twice in one day at Buckingham Palace, apparently damaging the grass. Picture: AFP

The Times reports that the day after Mr Trump’s arrival at the palace, the monarch is said to have revealed her distress over the state of her garden to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Mr Morrison had travelled to the UK for the D-Day commemorations in Portsmouth in June.

A source close to Mr Morrison said: “He had got off the plane and went straight to the palace to see the Queen, who led him out to the gardens and said: ‘Come and look at my lawn. It’s ruined’.”

Queen Elizabeth on the lawn of Buckingham Palace before it was ruined. Picture: AP

The main lawn at Buckingham Palace, which is overlooked by several of the state apartments, is the centrepiece of the Queen’s annual garden parties and she is fond of walking her dogs on the grass when she is in residence, The Times said.

At the start of their three-day visit, Mr Trump and his wife, Melania, arrived at the palace in Marine One, the presidential helicopter.

They received an official welcome from Prince Charles and Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall.

Prince Charles and Camilla greeted Mr Trump and the First Lady. Picture: Getty

A support helicopter, Nighthawk Two, also set down on the lawn.

Mr Trump later travelled in a helicopter for the five kilometre trip to the palace from Winfield House in Regent’s Park, the US ambassador’s residence, where he was staying, landing on the Queen’s lawn to attend the state banquet.

Scorch marks were left on the grass as well as divots from the wheels.

President Donald Trump follows first lady Melania Trump onto the Marine One helicopter. Picture: AP

The Times reports that in 2016 the Queen opposed a request from US security services for six helicopters to land at Windsor Castle when former US President Barack Obama visited the monarch for her 90th birthday.

She insisted on fewer helicopters to protect her lawns.

Mr Trump appeared oblivious to his unwelcome gift on the Queen’s lawn.

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania. Trump thought the trip to London went “really well”. Picture: AFP

On the first day of his visit, he tweeted: “London part of trip is going really well. The Queen and the entire Royal family have been fantastic … Great love all around.” During a speech at the banquet later, he described the Queen as “a great, great woman”.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman declined to comment.

Originally published as Queen’s lawn ‘ruined’ by Trump’s helicopters: report