The president, deeply unpopular in Britain, will probably be unable to avoid massive demonstrations against his June visit
The formal state visit to Britain promised to President Trump more than two years ago will finally happen in early June, although the main reasons for the delay — turmoil over Brexit and overwhelming opposition to Trump among Londoners — remain unchanged.
Buckingham Palace and the White House announced Tuesday that Trump and first lady Melania Trump will visit the United Kingdom for three days in early June. State visits typically include a banquet with the queen and a formal procession in London, complete with horse-drawn carriage.
“This state visit will reaffirm the steadfast and special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom,” a statement from the White House said.
Striking a similar note, British Prime Minister Theresa May said in statement that the visit would be “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.”
The invitation is an all-the-trappings diplomatic plum, typically issued at the personal invitation of the queen. Queen Elizabeth II, on the throne since 1952, has hosted only two other U. S. presidents for these ceremonial visits — George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Guests typically stay at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle.
This trip follows what was billed as a “working visit” to Britain last June that featured a giant balloon depicting Trump as a screaming baby in a diaper flying above tens of thousands of protesters in the London streets.
The planned visit comes amid strained relations between Trump and May. On the eve of last year’s visit, Trump was quoted in a British tabloid criticizing her approach to Brexit and threatening to upend the U. S.-U. K. trade relationship. Trump and his associates have continued to root for Brexit this year, while suggesting May had botched it. May’s own position is perilous, and while the White House statement said Trump would meet with May during his visit, it is not clear whether she will still hold her post then.
