The UK government last night pleaded with the public to welcome the US president to London, arguing that “the special relationship is generational, not one person”, after calls for the Queen to scrap the royal banquet were sparked.
As the UK prepares for the US president’s state visit, ministers and courtiers at the Royal Palace fear Donald Trump could embarrass the Queen by openly speaking out in favour of Brexit at the official banquet on Monday, the Daily Mail reported citing sources in the palace.
Despite the Royal Family’s painstaking attempts to remain above the political affray, those involved in the planning of the visit are anticipating Trump might use his address at Buckingham Palace to heap praise on the UK’s decision to quit the EU.
In a bid to allay the fears, palace sources last night maintained the Queen would be “more than capable” of dealing with controversy, while Foreign Office insiders denied broaching the subject with Washington.