Donald Trump is reportedly being lined up for an invitation to meet Britain’s Queen Elizabeth next year as ministers ponder how to cement the ‘special relationship’ and strike a free trade deal with the United States.
The US president-elect reportedly told Theresa May during a phone call last week that his late Scottish mother was a ‘big fan’ of the Queen and the PM could use a 2017 state visit to curry his favour, according to the Sunday Times newspaper.
An early visit to the UK from Mr Trump would also allow the Prime Minister to swat away claims that Nigel Farage has closer links to the controversial tycoon, which have been dismissed by Downing Street.
It would also provide a potential opportunity to warm up the apparently anti-global trade president-elect over the idea of a post-Brexit trade deal.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: ‘No visit has been organised but the Prime Minister is looking forward to welcoming the president-elect to the UK when he chooses to visit.’