In a surprising turn of events, President Donald Trump and the first lady encountered an unexpected delay during their travel in England on Thursday due to a technical issue with Marine One, as Fox News reports.
The incident, which extended their journey to Stansted Airport, occurred as they were en route to a historic second state visit hosted by King Charles II and Queen Camilla.
The president and first lady began their trip from the prime minister's Chequers landing zone, expecting a brief 20-minute flight to Stansted Airport.
However, a minor hydraulic problem forced Marine One to make an unscheduled stop at a local airfield before reaching their destination.
This interruption significantly delayed their travel plans, stretching the journey to nearly 40 minutes.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the situation, providing clarity on what caused the detour.
Leavitt told reporters the switch was due to a "minor hydraulic issue."
"Out of an abundance of caution, the pilots landed at a local airfield before reaching Stansted Airport," she explained.
"The president and first lady safely boarded the support helicopter," Leavitt added, reassuring that there were no safety concerns.
After the quick transfer to a support helicopter, President Trump and the first lady continued their journey without further issues.
The extended travel time did not appear to impact their schedule significantly, as they remained on track for their engagements.
Their arrival at Stansted Airport marked the next step in a visit filled with diplomatic importance.
This trip to England held special significance, as King Charles II and Queen Camilla hosted the president and first lady for a rare second state visit.
Among the key topics discussed during this visit was a substantial U.S. investment in the U.K., highlighting the economic ties between the two nations.
While the hydraulic issue with Marine One caused a brief setback, the focus remained on the broader objectives of this unprecedented diplomatic occasion.
