The rain began softly, courteously, almost apologetically, as it always does in London. However, in a matter of minutes, it transformed into a true drizzle—the kind that slips past umbrellas and settles into your clothing as if it were paying rent.
The state visit was meant to be flawless. Every detail, including who stands where, when they smile, and what they say, had been meticulously arranged. The air was heavy with formality, cameras were rolling, and officials were stiff with significance.
