Donald Trump state visit to UK could be pushed back to 2019

Donald Trump’s State visit to Britain could be delayed until 2019, it emerged today.

The trip, with full Royal pomp and circumstance, is almost certainly not going to take place this year.

The Palace is understood to have plans for another visit in the first half of 2018, practically ruling out a visit from Mr Trump.

And although the US president could in theory come on a State visit in autumn 2018, this would take place just weeks before crucial mid-term elections for Congress.

A third of the US Senate will be up for election and the whole of the House of Representatives.

So Mr Trump could be fighting for his political life at this time because if the Democrats gain control of the House, the Senate, or both, it would make him far more vulnerable to being impeached if the investigation into his election campaign’s links to Russia escalates.

The Queen is not expected to lay on more than two State visits next year, according to one source, though dates for a Trump visit in 2018 are still believed to being explored.

Given the potential delay until spring 2019, the US president may come to Britain earlier to meet Prime Minister Theresa May, but not on a full State visit.

This could take place in 2018, though, there is even talk that it could be arranged for later this year.

Such a visit would allow both Governments, and the Palace, to gauge the level of protests which a State visit by the president could spark.

Nearly two million people signed a petition calling for Mr Trump’s planned State visit to the UK to be downgraded following the furore over his comments about women which emerged during the election campaign and his proposed ban on Muslims from certain countries from entering the US.

Ministers in Britain will also be wary that a State visit which went badly could have a knock-on effect on attempts to strike an early and comprehensive trade deal with the US post Brexit.