Trump will not meet the Queen in ‘working’ visit

DONALD Trump is set to visit the UK next year in a low-key ‘working’ trip that will not involve meeting the Queen.

The plans being discussed by diplomats come after the controversy that greeted Theresa May’s earlier invitation to the US president to make a state visit.

The stripped-back trip will not feature the pomp of a state visit, according to the London Evening Standard. It is also likely to be part of an international tour by Mr Trump rather than focused solely on the UK, the newspaper reported.

No 10 said last night Mrs May’s offer of a state visit still stands and she hopes it will go ahead. Threats of protests and boycotts greeted news that the Prime Minister had extended the honour of a state visit to Mr Trump when she visited him in the White House in his first week in office.

It was originally planned that the state visit would take place over the summer, but Mr Trump has not come to Britain while visiting other major capitals.

He met French president Emmanuel Macron in Paris shortly after talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, as well as visiting the Pope at the Vatican and going to Brussels to meet the King of Belgium.

The trip under discussion by diplomats would be shorn of the red- carpet trappings of state visits, which usually include a carriage ride up the Mall.

During his stay President Trump could also cut the ribbon on the new US embassy in South London. He would stay at the residence of US ambassador Woody Johnson.

A source close to London Mayor Sadiq Khan told the Standard he would not object to such a visit.

Mrs May’s official spokesman said it remains the Government’s intention that Mr Trump will have a state visit, and dates ‘are still being finalised’.

A spokesman for the US embassy denied there were plans for a ‘working-level visit’.