'I didn't know she was nasty': Trump is shocked to learn of Meghan Markle's criticism of him and surprised that she won't meet him on UK state visit - but still insists she'll flourish as a Royal and is a 'very good' princess
- Donald Trump expressed his surprise at comments made about him by Meghan
- President Trump said that the comments by the Duchess of Sussex were 'nasty'
- However, he also said he believes Meghan will make a 'great American Princess'
- New mother Meghan will not meet the Trumps as she is still on maternity leave
Donald Trump has expressed his surprise at comments made by the Duchess of Sussex about him when he was elected President in 2016.
The president said that 'I didn't know she was nasty' after he was told that Meghan once called him as 'misogynistic' and 'divisive'.
However, shortly after the comments Mr Trump heaped fulsome praise on the new mother, saying that she would make a 'very good American Princess' and that he hopes she will 'succeed'.
His kind words for Meghan are a departure from his usual approach to critics, and he seemed keen to move past the Duchess of Sussex's comments that were made to a US talks show in interview in 2016.
The President also says he 'hopes she's OK' after giving birth to baby son Archie just weeks ago.
Speaking ahead of his visit to the UK on Monday, Mr Trump also said he had not realised Meghan would not be present among the Royals meeting him, who will include Prince Charles, the Queen and Prince Harry.
President Donald Trump has revealed his surprised at the 'nasty' comments made about him by the Duchess of Sussex
Officially, Meghan will be missing the state visit because she is on maternity leave with baby Archie, however sources claim her absence is to avoid a potentially awkward clash with the US president.
Meghan was a vocal supporter of Hilary Clinton and during a 2016 interview, said that 'you don't want to live in the kind of world that he [Trump] is painting'.
Speaking about the Duchess' comments to the Sun, President Trump said: 'I didn't know that. What can I say? I didn't know that she was nasty.'
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However, he later added that he was glad to see her as part of the royal family, saying: 'It is nice, and I am sure she will do excellently. She will be very good. I hope she does (succeed).'
During an interview with Larry Wilmore on the Nightly Show in 2016, Meghan said: 'We film Suits in Toronto and I might just stay in Canada.
'Yes, of course, Trump is divisive, think about female voters alone, right?
'I think it was in 2012 the Republican Party lost the female vote by 12 points.
'That is a huge number and with as misogynistic as Trump is, and so vocal about it, that is a huge chunk of it.
'You're not just voting for a woman if it's Hillary (Clinton). Yes you're voting because she's a woman, but certainly because Trump has made it easy to see that you don't really want that kind of world that he's painting.'
Meghan looks set to miss the state visit as she is still on maternity leave following the birth of baby Archie
President Trump also revealed that he was looking forward to meeting the Queen, describing it as a great honour.
He added that he would be willing to discuss climate change with Prince Charles and defended his decision to pull the US out of the Paris climate change agreement last year.
Charles, Camilla, William, Kate, Harry and even Prince Andrew will spend time with the US President during his three-day visit.
A private lunch on Monday will see the Queen and Prince Harry meet the president, but the Duchess of Sussex will stay at home with baby Archie.
President Trump revealed how he was looking forward to meeting the Queen again on his state visit (pictured with the Queen in 2018)
After this, Mr and Mrs Trump, accompanied by Prince Andrew, will visit Westminster Abbey, where the President will lay a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.
They will then be taken on a short tour of the Abbey.
The day will continue with the President and First Lady joining The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall for tea at Clarence House.
In the evening, The Queen will host a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace and both Her Majesty and the President will make speeches.
The following morning, the President and Theresa May will co-host a business breakfast meeting, attended by The Duke of York, at St James's Palace, with senior UK and US business leaders.
Mr Trump is reportedly bringing his grown up children with him when he visits the UK - daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner, both advisers to the President, along with her siblings Tiffany Trump, Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump.
Arriving on June 3, President Trump will be welcomed by the Queen at Buckingham Palace (left). The president will also have tea with the the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall (right) at Clarence House
The president has also thrown his support behind Boris Johnson, claiming that the favourite for the Tory leadership would do a 'very good job'.
Mr Trump looks set to meet with the former foreign secretary during his state visit to the UK, after previously describing him as a 'friend'.
The meeting between the US President and the former Foreign Secretary is being organised by high-ranking White House officials, according to reports.
In an interview, he said that Mr Johnson, a hard Brexiteer, would be an 'excellent choice' as leader before adding that he had studied the Tory leadership race 'very hard'.
The latest comments come after an impromptu press call in Washington yesterday, where Mr Trump paid a glowing tribute to Mr Johnson, describing him as a 'big power'.
Mr Trump is reportedly bringing daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner, both advisers to the President, along with her siblings Tiffany Trump, Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump
Prince Harry will join the Queen for a private lunch with Donald Trump but Meghan is set to stay at home with baby Archie
Full details of Trump's state visit to Britain have now been revealed, including all the royals he will meet over the three days
His team are believed to have told British officials that the president wants to schedule in some 'executive time', particularly during his stay at Winfield House in London on Tuesday, which is the US ambassador's residence.
Any meeting with Boris Johnson, Nigel Farage or other Tory leadership hopefuls is expected to take place then.
Some British officials are said to be worried at any controversies Mr Trump may cause during his visit, though Downing Street has is believed to be relaxed.
A Downing Street source told the Times: 'Who the president meets during his visit is a matter for him.'
Mr Trump also told the Sun: ''I actually have studied it very hard. I know the different players.
'But I think Boris would do a very good job. I think he would be excellent. I like him. I have always liked him. I don't know that he is going to be chosen, but I think he is a very good guy, a very talented person.
The US president heaped praise on Mr Johnson, and it looks as if he will meet with the Foreign Secretary
'He has been very positive about me and our country.'
The president also claimed that several Tory leadership candidates have asked for his endorsement, although he said that Michael Gove was not one of them.
Mr Trump also revealed that he 'likes' foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt.
Mick Mulaney, acting Chief of Staff at the White House, is thought to have requested the meeting during the planning stage of the state visit.
Speaking to reporters on the White House lawn yesterday, Mr Trump said he 'may' hold talks with Mr Johnson or Mr Farage during his three-day trip.
'Nigel Farage is a friend of mine. Boris is a friend of mine,' Mr Trump said.
'They are two very good guys, very interesting people.
Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson is widely seen as the favourite in the Tory leadership race
The president's comments come despite Theresa May still being the current leader of the party and it could make their 'business meeting' awkward
He may also meet with Nigel Farage who was famously the first senior UK politician to meet Mr Trump after he was elected as president - posing together by the golden elevator in his New York penthouse
'Nigel has had a big victory, he has picked up 32 per cent of the vote starting from nothing (in EU elections).
'I think they are big powers over there, I think they have done a good job.'
Mr Trump will have lunch with the Queen and enjoy a lavish state banquet at Buckingham Palace on the first day of his visit.
As well as Her Majesty, two future kings and a host of senior royals will be out in force to meet the US President, but he can also expect to see protestors, the 'baby Trump' blimp, and 10,000 police on the streets around the country during his visit, which comes ahead of the 75th anniversary commemoration of D-Day.
A ceremonial welcome in the gardens of Buckingham Palace and a grand white-tie state banquet in the ballroom all await the American leader after he touches down in the UK.
Staff will spend the next three days laying the table for Monday's state banquet - as napkins are folded like dutch bonnets, six glasses are set out per guest and a special cushion is placed on the Prince of Wales' chair.
The state banquet has taken six months to plan and will see 170 guests sit down in Buckingham Palace's ballroom on Monday evening.
The dress code is tiaras and white tie, or national dress, and the guests, invited due to their ties with the US, will eat from priceless dinner sets.
Their plates will be placed exactly 18 inches apart - precisely measured by staff - and glasses and chairs will all be the same distance away from the table edge.
Each guest will have six glasses - for water, a champagne toast, red and white wines, dessert wine and port.
The Queen always inspects the horseshoe-shaped table herself in the afternoon before every state banquet, making her way round the room and checking the preparations with the Master of the Household, Vice-Admiral Tony Johnstone-Burt.
Surrounding the table will be 19 stations, each manned by four members of staff - a page, footman, under butler and a wine butler.
Despite the palace cellar holding 25,000 bottles of wine, the Government will be paying for the alcohol served during the banquet, a spokesperson for the Windsors confirmed today.
And staff will use a traffic light system and detailed diagrams to seamlessly serve the correct dietary requirements.
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, will have lunch with the Queen and enjoy a lavish state banquet at Buckingham Palace during the course of a three-day state visit beginning on Monday
Stun in a navy flared midi dress like Melania
Melania Trump arrived back home in Washington, clicking off all the sartorial boxes. Melania just wrapped up a whirlwind trip to Japan and we see her here returning to one of her loved dresses from Calvin Klein (she previously wore this last summer).
Specifically, Melania chose a round-neck, sleeveless navy mid-length flare dress that has echoes of 1950s silhouettes. The allure of this particular dress is its fitted bodice and the white, black and green striped axe-shaped panel that was a key theme of the Spring/Summer 2018 collection. Simons collaborated with German-American artist Sterling Ruby for the Americana detail. Melania added white pointy-toed stiletto pumps to complete the look.
If you're in love with elegance of this dress like we are, click right to buy a similar version at Farfetch. Best of all, it's on sale for $753.
If that's stretching your budget, see our roundup below. We found a bargain lookalike at Maggy London.
A detailed plan of what Mr Trump will do during his state visit to the UK. He is expected to meet the Queen, Theresa May, and attend a lavish state banquet at Buckingham Palace
The Prince of Wales will have a bowl of olive oil rather than a butter pat and a cushion to help with his back pain.
Speeches take place at the start at 8pm when the Queen and Mr Trump will both make a speech and propose toasts to one another, followed by the playing of the national anthems.
And the end of the banquet will be signalled by 12 pipers processing around the room - a tradition started by Queen Victoria.
Donald Trump and Melania will then join the Queen for coffee.
Members of the royal family wear sashes and badges known as orders if they have been given them in recognition of royal service.
Donald Trump's state banquet has taken six months to plan and will see 170 guests sit down in Buckingham Palace's ballroom on Monday evening. Pictured during a visit to Windsor Castle in July 2018
Just before the banquet begins, members of the royal family will be lined up, usually in the White Drawing Room, to be personally introduced to Mr Trump and First Lady Melania.
Then, in the Music Room, the Queen and the American couple will be formally introduced to and shake hands with each and every guest as they file into the ballroom.
The Queen and the president will then make their way into the room side by side.
The monarch will be seated next to Mr Trump at the top end of the vast U-shaped table, along with Mrs Trump, Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.
The President and First Lady will be given a tour of the Royal Collection to see items relating to the UK's history with the US
The Trumps will tour Westminster Abbey, where the US president will lay a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior
On Tuesday Mr Trump will meet with Theresa May at St James's Palace (pictured) over a business breakfast
Other royals will be spread around the table between the distinguished guests.
The Queen, who is now 93, is said to be a brisk eater and the banquets are not a lingering affair.
A string orchestra usually provides the musical backdrop.
Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of activists are preparing to paralyse London with mass demonstrations during the state visit next week.
More than 20,000 police officers will be deployed at 20 separate events planned across the country in a security operation expected to cost about £18million.
The main protest will be held in central London on Tuesday with organisers claiming a quarter of a million will march from Trafalgar Square to Parliament Square. Scotland Yard has given them permission to protest just yards from Downing Street while the US President has lunch there with Prime Minister Theresa May.
The 6m tall baby blimp of Donald Trump was flown as a protest against his visit last year
A U.S. military helicopter flies in low on its way to land at the U.S. ambassador's residence, at Winfield House today
Flags and flowers are installed along the Mall and outside Buckingham Palace ahead of the visit
Two groups – Stand Up To Trump and Stop Trump – are co-ordinating protest groups for what they are calling a 'carnival of resistance'. They have laid on coaches to bring thousands of supporters to the capital from cities and towns across the UK.
A spokesman for Stand Up To Trump said: 'We will be bringing central London to a standstill. By the time he leaves he will know, and the world will know, that people here reject him and his toxic politics.'
Stop Trump added: 'We will make it clear to the British Government it's not OK to normalise Trump's agenda and the fear it has sparked.'
The protesters, who are being led by a ragbag army of hard-Left activists and Corbynistas, are planning to fly an offensive 20ft blimp depicting the President as an angry baby. It was previously flown during Mr Trump's visit last year after London's Labour mayor Sadiq Khan licensed its use.
Last night the mayor's office once again granted permission for it to be flown over the capital, although protesters still need final approval from the Metropolitan Police before it is launched.
Today workers in cherry pickers installed Union Jack flags along the length of the Mall in preparation for the visit.
Scotland Yard's elite counter-terrorism specialist firearms unit who train with UK special forces are pictured here
Donald Trump will travel in a motorcade of around 20 mostly armoured black SUVs when he arrives for his UK state visit
A 16ft talking robot of Mr Trump sitting on a gold toilet, which has been shipped to the UK from China, is also expected to make an appearance. It depicts the US leader with his trousers round his ankles while tweeting, and emits breaking wind noises and recordings of some of Trump's provocative soundbites, including 'no collusion', 'you are fake news' and 'I'm a very stable genius'.
Thousands of protesters are also expected to stage a demonstration outside Buckingham Palace during the royal banquet on Monday night being held in honour of the US President.
The Women's Peace Council is staging a rally called The People's Banquet because it does not believe Mr Trump 'deserves this red carpet treatment'.
Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry yesterday announced that she would be attending the main rally and urged her supporters to join her.
Using the slogan #StopTrump, she said she is marching because the US President 'is destroying all the values that have always united Britain and America'.
Hundreds of thousands of activists are preparing to paralyse London with mass demonstrations during Donald Trump's state visit next week
A giant robot of Donald Trump sitting on a gold toilet is on its way to the UK after being shipped from China for protests against the US president's state visit
Dawn Butler MP, Labour's women and equalities spokesman, issued a rallying call to activists, saying: 'If you do one thing next week, it's come out on your lunch break and stand up against Trump.
'Stand up against all of the hatred that he uses to elevate himself and say, 'Not here, not in our country. We don't want it and we don't want you.' '
The 2018 anti-Trump protest was led by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, but the party remained tight-lipped last night over whether he is planning to attend Tuesday's rally. Mr Corbyn has already turned down the Queen's invitation to the royal banquet at Buckingham Palace.
There are fears that fierce anti-Trump sentiment could turn violent, and Met police chiefs are concerned that activists may adopt similar tactics used at the Extinction Rebellion protests, which brought misery to thousands in April when large parts of the capital were closed for days by protesters.
Workers erect a fence a Winfield House in Regent's Park, London, as the UK prepares to welcome Donald Trump. Preparations are being made across the capital for the president's arrival
Road blocks are assembled around Winfield House in Regent's Park, London, were security measures are being enforced ahead of Donald Trump's arrival
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said: 'It's a concern, because we would not want that type of activity to happen again. I am never going to sit here and tell you that type of incident will never happen again, because there are some things we can do in policing and some things we can't.'
The Met said officers have met organisers of the main anti-Trump protest and have banned demonstrators from walking the entire length of Whitehall to allow the President's motorcade to enter Downing Street without hassle.
During last year's visit, Mr Trump spent only a few hours in London and so avoided most of the protesters, although he did acknowledge he had been made to feel unwelcome and suggested he might never visit London again.
On this occasion he will almost certainly see – and hear – thousands of anti-Trump activists.
