Donald Trump WILL meet the Queen for long-delayed state visit to UK in six weeks
President Trump made an official working trip to the UK last July - but a full state visit could see him address Parliament for the first time
DONALD Trump’s first full state visit to Britain in June was confirmed today.
Buckingham Palace revealed this afternoon that the US President and his wife Melania will visit the UK for three days from June 3 – 5, timed to coincide with the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
It comes more than two years after Theresa May first offered the visit when they met in January 2017 at the White House.
The trip is expected to involve an official banquet at Buckingham Palace and a carriage procession down the Mall.
President Trump will be a guest of Her Majesty The Queen during the visit, and will also have discussions with the Prime Minister in Downing Street.
Mrs May said today: “The UK and United States have a deep and enduring partnership that is rooted in our common history and shared interests.
“We do more together than any two nations in the world and we are both safer and more prosperous because of our cooperation.
“The State Visit is an opportunity to strengthen our already close relationship in areas such as trade, investment, security and defence, and to discuss how we can build on these ties in the years ahead.”
While there President Trump and Mrs May will attend an event in Portsmouth to mark the historic World War II anniversary, the White House confirmed.
A military display will be performed for the President including a RAF flypast – and a specially chartered ship will then take up to 300 veterans over to Normandy.
Leaders from Canada, France, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Germany and several other nations have been invited to the celebrations.
But any trip will likely see thousands of protesters take to the streets again to oppose his visit.
Last year people flooded the streets of London, Manchester, Glasgow and Belfast and flew a giant orange blimp above London too.
Labour MP Clive Lewis said today: “Dust off the blimp.”
The total cost of policing the visit came to £14.2million.
Downing Street held secret talks with the US administration to discuss timings at the start of the year.
However, the President and First Lady won’t be staying at Buckingham Palace due to the ongoing renovation work, The Sun understands.
What is a state visit and what will happen when Trump comes to town?
- A state visit is when a foreign leader is officially asked to come and visit the Queen
- They take place at either Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle usually, and will likely begin with a formal greeting on Horseguard’s Parade
- Some visits have included a carriage procession down the mall
- It will also include a lavish state banquet with tiaras and ballgowns in the evening – along with 170 VIPs
- Both will make a speech and propose toasts to one another
- The Queen has hosted two former US Presidents for state visits before – the Obamas in 2011 and the Bush family in 2003
Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood this weekend urged Commons Speaker John Bercow to allow the President to formally address Parliament when he comes – to protect the “special relationship” between the US and the UK.
SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP
Two years ago the Speaker insisted it was “not an automatic right” to address the Commons and the Lords – insisting it was an earned Honour.
President Trump made a two-day working visit to the UK last July – where he met The Queen and spoke exclusively to The Sun.
He sensationally revealed that a trade deal with the US could be off the table – and criticised her over Brexit talks.
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