What Donald Trump can expect from state visit

Finally, the state visit for Donald Trump is confirmed - and so far the Palace is not giving much away as to what their latest diplomatic guest can expect.

That's not unusual, as we would not normally get all the juicy details until much nearer the time. But if simply having tea with the Queen at Windsor last year was enough to send the US president home happy, the pomp, pageantry and hospitality of his trip this summer will be on another level.

So, what exactly can Mr Trump expect?

:: State banquets and carriage processions

The state banquet on the first night is often seen as the highlight of any state visit.

The most elaborate china, immaculate table displays, cutlery laid out with a ruler, and all in the spectacular setting of the ballroom at Buckingham Palace or St George's Hall in Windsor Castle.

The dazzling dresses, tiaras and a chance to deliver a speech alongside the Queen, this will be a money-can't-buy moment for former businessman Mr Trump.

But one of the other usual highlights that he may have to miss out on is the carriage procession down the Mall and the official welcome on Horse Guards Parade. Not because of some kind of snub, but because the American security services might see it as too much of a risk.

Both Barack Obama and George W Bush didn't get to ride in a carriage on their state visits and their ceremonial welcomes took place inside the grounds at Buckingham Palace.

:: The Queen and other members of the Royal Family playing host

When the idea of a state visit by Mr Trump was first mentioned, lots of critics said it should be cancelled because it would embarrass the Queen.

Last summer, Her Majesty met the president and his wife, and with her usual composure played the gracious host.

This summer will be no different.

The president and his wife won't get the honour of staying at Buckingham Palace.

It's nothing to do with the Queen not wanting them to sleep over, instead major refurbishment work going on in the whole of the East Wing means the usual guest suites are out of action.

But Donald Trump will still get to spend plenty of time inside monarchy HQ with the state banquet set to be held there.

It's likely to mean protests outside the palace gates but the Queen will go out of her way to make the couple feel welcome. It is after all her role. The government has asked her to invite him and it is her constitutional duty to oblige.

It will also be up to other members of the Royal Family to play their part - and it will be fascinating to see who does.

Often Prince Charles has heads of state for tea at Clarence House, but will this happen when the two men could not be more divided on the issue of climate change?

And how about meeting the monarchy's own American asset, the Duchess of Sussex?

She might be pleased that she'll have the excuse of being on maternity leave, after she was so publicly critical of her countryman in the run up to his election victory.

:: Special treats for their guests

The royals usually pull out all the stops to entertain their guests.

Priceless Anglo-American artefacts will be put on display from the royal collection to cement the idea of the special relationship, and I'd also expect a few nods to Mr Trump's Scottish roots.

He has regularly mentioned how his Scottish mother was a big fan of the Queen.

There will also be visits planned outside of the palace walls for both the president and wife Melania, to tap into their particular interests. But we will have to wait until nearer the time for details on those.

:: Protests and breaking protocol

The meeting over tea at Windsor Castle was just a taste of what we can expect to see from a Trump state visit for two big reasons. Firstly, the protests.

Who can forget the flying Trump baby balloon over London? And wherever Trump went, the demonstrators followed. His visit in June will draw just as much animosity and potentially even larger crowds of protesters.

Secondly, the breaking of protocol.

As soon as Mr Trump got out of his car and shook hands with the Queen last year, we were looking for slip-ups.

Photos of him apparently walking in front of Her Majesty, as they inspected the guard, were immediately seen as a faux pas. No one really talked about the fact that the Queen has not traditionally been used to doing that part of the ceremonial; Prince Philip for decades did the honours.

But if he did put a foot wrong this time, he would not be the first US president to get a little giddy around the Queen.

When she was visiting America in 2007, George W Bush winked at her after accidentally ageing her by 200 years in his speech, and Barack Obama, at his state banquet, began proposing a toast to the Queen at the same time as the orchestra started playing the national anthem.

In the White House statement about this summer's state visit, there has already been an interesting addition to the her title, as they referred to her as "Her Royal Majesty".

President Trump can simply stick to her actual title of Her Majesty when he meets her again in a few months' time.