President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump will not have the pleasure of staying at Buckingham Palace during an upcoming state visit to the United Kingdom because renovation work is being carried out at the royal residence.
A spokesperson for the royal household at Buckingham Palace confirmed to Newsweek that the president would be unable to stay overnight at the queen's palace. All other facets of the state visit, including a lavish state banquette, are due to take place as normal.
Buckingham Palace, the home of Queen Elizabeth II since 1952, owned by the British Monarchy for more than four centuries, is currently undergoing a 10-year reservicing program worth $477 million. The palace's east wing, most prominently on view to the public, is closed at present as major electrical and plumbing work takes place.
While the renovations preclude the president, first lady and their staff from staying at the palace, all other functions will go ahead at the seat of the British monarchy as planned during the presidential visit slated June 3-5. Further details of the visit are expected to be released as the dates draw near.
The White House announced yesterday that the president and first lady had accepted an invitation from Queen Elizabeth II to visit the United Kingdom. The president previously met with the Queen for tea at another of her residences, Windsor Castle, in July 2018, but that did not constitute an official state visit.
Former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush are the only two presidents to have been hosted by the Queen at a state dinner. Both were able to stay at Buckingham Palace during their visit, unlike Trump.
During his visit to the U.K., Trump will also meet with British Prime Minister Theresa May. The president and first lady will attend ceremonies marking the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the allied invasion of mainland Europe during the World War II.
Immediately following the joint announcement from Washington and London, Trump's critics in the United Kingdom promised to cause "maximum disruption" during the president's visit. During his working visit to Britain last year, mass protests were held in London with organizers promising to undercut the ceremony of any state visit with further demonstrations.
"It's up to us, again, to say Trump is not welcome, and to make his visit as unpleasant as possible. We're going to aim for maximum disruption," Nick Dearden of the Stop Trump Coalition told Newsweek on Tuesday.
An orange Donald Trump blimp that loomed over the British capital during Trump's visit last year is expected to reappear when the president travels to the U.K., with The Guardian newspaper reporting this time it could be five times bigger.
"We have been toying with the idea of a Trump baby hot air balloon, which would be about five times the size. But would cost a huge amount of money—upwards of £70,000 ($90,625)," said Leo Murray, who helped organize the original 20-foot-high inflatable.
Before the state visit begins, the Trump's administration's ability to adhere to the British monarchy's stringent protocol has already been shown wanting. When Trump met the Queen last summer, he was criticized for blocking her as they walked and for failing to bow.
This time around, in its statement announcing the official state visit, the White House identified the British monarch as "Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II." Her correct title is her majesty.
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Callum Paton is a staff writer at Newsweek specializing in North Africa and the Middle East. He has worked freelance ... Read more
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