PRESIDENT Trump will undertake his first full state visit to Britain in June – but Meghan Markle will 'skip meeting him during his stay'.
Former royal editor Duncan Larcombe advised that the Duchess of Sussex, 37, will “conveniently” be on maternity during the trip on June 3 to 5.
Speaking to Fabulous Digital, royal expert Duncan said: “I’m told that there are no plans for Meghan to meet president Trump.
“Not as a snub because – how shall we say – it’s a quite convenient period of maternity leave so she won’t be working.”
President Trump’s visit was confirmed this week, and royal fans were speculating whether fellow American Meghan would meet with him.
Back in 2016, the then-Suits actress campaigned against Trump becoming president, and called him “divisive” and “misogynistic” when she appeared on The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore.
She said at the time she was backing Hillary Clinton for the position, and commented: “I’m voting for Hillary Clinton, not because she is a woman, but because Trump has made it easy to see that you don't really want that kind of world that he's painting."
Meghan also previously made a joke about staying in Canada if Trump was elected.
Despite any previous political views, Duncan said that he thought Meghan would have met with Trump if she wasn’t on her time away from the public eye.
He said: “I think Meghan would have gone if she wasn’t on maternity leave. These visits are not about the personality of the president or the opinions of the royals, it’s about the special relationship. Politics has to stay out of it.
“I think the comment Meghan has made in the past before she met Harry, before she married into the royal family were one thing, but everything has changed now.
“Yes she said things in the past, but they are in the past before she ever knew she’d one day be a royal and sit in a banquet with President Trump. Little bit awkward."
Duncan said he didn't think Meghan would want to try and make some political statement by not meeting the president.
He continued: "But the fact she’s on maternity leave obviously gives her an excuse.
“This is part of the problem that the royals have. They have their good causes and are outspoken on things like the Prince of Wales with climate change and of course one of the big criticism is his attitude towards global warming.”
What is a state visit and what will happen when Trump comes to town?
- A state visit is when a foreign leader is officially asked to come and visit the Queen
- They take place at either Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle usually, and will likely begin with a formal greeting on Horseguard's Parade
- Some visits have included a carriage procession down the mall
- It could also include a lavish state banquet with tiaras and ballgowns in the evening – along with 170 VIPs
- Both will make a speech and propose toasts to one another
- The Queen has hosted two former US Presidents for state visits before – the Obamas in 2011 and the Bush family in 2003
The royal expert said we are likely to see the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Charles meeting with Donald Trump, but only if a State Banquet is arranged with the senior royals.
He explained: “If there is a State Banquet, yes, you’d expect the full pomp and ceremony of a royal function.
“If there is, a bit like when Barack Obama visited, it won’t just be the Queen, it’ll be Prince Charles and normally William and Kate.”
But will Prince Harry attend, leaving his wife at home with their child?
Duncan said: “I think probably Harry wouldn’t be forced to go. But in a way it’ll be odd if he doesn’t.
“Harry has married an American. An American has become a member of the royal family – a duchess. So you’d sort of expect it.
“The amount of interest in Meghan and Harry in America is incredible.
“By her becoming the first American to marry into the family in the past 50 years, I think it can only be a good thing for the royal family.”
It was previously claimed by Meghan’s dad Thomas that Prince Harry told him to be “open” to President Trump.
The 73-year-old told ITV's Good Morning Britain: "Our conversation was, I was complaining about not liking Donald Trump, he said 'give Donald Trump a chance'.
He added: "I sort of disagreed with that. But I still like Harry. That was his politics, I have my politics."
On whether the Prince was a Trump supporter, Mr Markle said: "I would hope not now, but at the time he might have been."
Prince Harry is a good friend with Barack Obama, with the pair uniting to promote the Invictus Games in the past.
Trump’s visit last year was certainly controversial, and not just due to the large crowds that gathered in protest, and the large baby blimp that was erected.
The President was criticised for walking in front of the Queen, not bowing to her, and also keeping their one-on-one time to a minimum.
The Queen conducted proceedings without her son and grandsons.
Last year, Prince Charles allegedly had a board meeting for his AG Carrick company, Prince William was partaking in a charity polo match and Prince Harry had private engagements.
Duncan said of this year’s visit: “Donald Trump is a marmite character and I think his visit will be marked with huge rallies and inflatable baby blimps.
“But the royals and foreign offices will be keen that everything goes according to plan.
“Although Trump walking in front of the Queen last year was seen as a faux par, there have been raised eyebrows with previous visits.”
He referred to when Obama awkwardly started speaking over the National Anthem at the Queen’s banquet in 2011.
Trump’s visit this June comes more than two years after Theresa May first offered the visit when they met in January 2017 at the White House.
President Trump will be a guest of Her Majesty The Queen during the visit, and will also have discussions with the Prime Minister in Downing Street.
The palace has been contacted for comment by Fabulous Digital.
President Trump made a two-day working visit to the UK last July – where he met The Queen and spoke exclusively to The Sun.
He sensationally revealed that a trade deal with the US could be off the table – and criticised her over Brexit talks.
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