Early morning dog walkers, Remainers and a few school run mums gathered at the gates of Blenheim Palace to catch a glimpse of the arrivals for the European Political Community summit.
Police were posted all along the A44 and at every junction from Long Hanborough to Woodstock while a ring of steel was thrown around Oxford Airport where "a spectacular display" of private planes landed at around 7.30am as described by onlookers.
Meanwhile armed police were stationed in Woodstock Road with mounted police down residential streets.
Locals chat to armed police on Woodstock Road (Image: NQ staff)
Blacked out Range Rovers escorted by police cars and police outriders with flashing lights and sirens intermittently sped past the palace gates.
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Locals spotted a Royal insignia flying on the front of one car.
More from the scene pic.twitter.com/THbk9oXPpL
— Miranda Norris (@Mirandajnorris) July 18, 2024
One local lady said she had been following the progress of preparations over the past few days as she walked her dogs in the palace grounds.
"There's a great view from behind the Victory column," she said. "I've seen marquees being set up in the grounds of the palace as well as a stand for press.
"I suppose the big cheeses might have stayed at the palace, but then they are all big cheeses."
Anti-Brexit activists gather to wave EU flag (Image: NQ staff)
By 8.30am a small group of Remain activists gathered at Hensington Gate some of whom had travelled up from Kent, passing Sir Keir Starmer's convoy on the motorway.
Magdalena Williams, from Bromley, said she intended to stand at the gates but hadn't organised a protest "as it would be too difficult to get permission with all the security".
Italian Silvia Zamberini, who has lived in the UK for 30 years, said it was "a perfect opportunity" to get the attention of the Prime Minister.
She said: “We are here with flags to say we want to rejoin the EU.
"We want Keir Starmer to know that there is a big part of the population that wants to rejoin the EU particularly young people and Brexit was a big mistake."
A van driver tooted as Sue Wilson, chair of Remain in Spain who had flown in specially from the continent, waved her EU flag.
Police were drafted in from as far afield as Kent, Durham and Wales (Image: NQ staff)
She said: “We want to make it clear that we want our EU citizenship rights back and we are very pleased with the steps that the new government has taken so far but it’s not going to go far enough.
“I’m fortunate that I got to move to Spain before Brexit so my rights as a resident are secured but it’s not about me personally. It’s about all those other people who have had their rights denied.”
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Meanwhile locals said the event had been well managed with plenty of prior warning of road closures.
Andrew from Woodstock Pharmacy said: "I've seen lots of cars with dark windscreens flying through but I haven't spotted any leaders.
"I think there's been a level of excitement in the town but as you can see Woodstock on a Thursday is normally absolutely heaving with people.
"It's been quite exciting, absolutely."
By afternoon, police from as far afield as Durham, Kent and Wales were still on duty around Woodstock and surrounds on a very hot day, keeping Ruby Faulkner busy in Alfonso's Gelateria.
She said: "They've all been coming in for double scoops.
"What's gone down in tourism through Blenheim being closed we've certainly made up for in police."
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