Donald Trump will spend almost all of his four-day working visit to the UK outside London, Downing Street has confirmed. The US president is due to arrive next week and will stay in the capital for only one night, avoiding the centre of the city where large protests are planned.
On the day after his arrival, Mr Trump will attend a gala dinner at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, followed by talks with Theresa May at her Chequers country retreat. He will also meet the Queen at Windsor Castle before travelling to Scotland for the weekend. Details of his Scottish programme have not yet been released, but there is speculation he may play golf.
The US ambassador to the UK, Woody Johnson, rejected suggestions that the president was trying to avoid demonstrators. He said Mr Trump was seeking to make the trip as impactful as possible within a 24-hour period. A Downing Street spokeswoman added that Chequers offered a more informal setting for bilateral discussions and that the UK is a free and open democracy.
Activists have promised protests throughout the visit, including a large event in London next Friday. Permission has been granted by the Greater London Authority for a giant "Trump baby" balloon to be flown over Westminster. The ambassador said Mr Trump appreciated free speech, while the PM's spokeswoman said the GLA should explain its decision.
Melania Trump will have a separate itinerary accompanied by Philip May, while her husband holds meetings. The visit is a working visit rather than a full state visit, which has been delayed indefinitely. Around 100 guests are expected at the Blenheim Palace dinner, including ministers and business leaders.
