A large swathe of central London will be shut on Wednesday for a royal visit from Spain’s King and Queen, ending growing rumours of a surprise Donald Trump visit.
Speculation had been mounting that the US President was planning to make a flying visit to London ahead of the G20 leaders’ summit in Germany and a weekend trip to Paris to celebrate Bastille Day. The rumours were boosted after Transport for London warned a planned event in the heart of London on Wednesday would see roads around Whitehall and Trafalgar Square closed to the public.
But the unfounded reports have now been put to bed after it was confirmed the road closures are for the King and Queen of Spain’s three-day state visit to the UK. Downing Street later confirmed that officials are looking at arranging Donald Trump’s state visit to Britain for 2018.
The Spanish royals arrive in London on Tuesday, and will be formally greeted by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh on Horse Guards Parade on Wednesday. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia's trip was previously postponed twice - firstly because of a political crisis in Spain in March 2016 and then again when the rescheduled date clashed with June's snap general election.
Theories that Donald Trump could make a surprise drop-in visit to the UK grew after the Sunday Times reported the US leader might only confirm his plans to the Government 24 hours in advance. The US leader also had a space in his schedule on Wednesday before appointments across Europe from Thursday. Others had speculated President Trump might prefer a surprise visit to Britain because of fears his arrival could be met with large protests.
