DONALD Trump is no longer set to meet the King in Scotland ahead of an official state visit, it is understood.
The US president was previously thought to be meeting the King informally at either Balmoral or Dumfries House before a much grander state visit later in the year.
Back in February, The National reported how Prime Minister Keir Starmer handed Trump a letter from the King inviting him to Scotland during a meeting at the White House.
However, it is understood that there were "logistical challenges" surrounding an informal visit, with conflicts in both the King's and Trump's diaries meaning a private meeting was not possible.
This comes despite the fact that the King is set to head to Scotland for his summer break, while Trump is expected to visit his new, second golf course in Aberdeenshire when it opens this summer.
It is understood that the logistical reasons why the private meeting cannot precede the state visit are understood and accepted by all parties.
Formal planning for the official state visit has now begun. While the exact dates have not yet been announced, September is said to be most likely.
However, The Times reported that Starmer had gone against the wishes of the King by bringing Trump's state visit forward to September.
The newspaper said the Palace had been hoping for a more "leisurely" approach building towards the state visit, due to concerns over Trump's threat to make Canada – where the King is also the head of state – the 51st US state.
A second state visit is unprecedented for a US president.
Trump's first state visit took place in 2019, where he met the late Queen Elizabeth in Buckingham Palace.
The Times suggested that Starmer was hoping to prioritise his attempt to curry favour with Trump and capitalise on the president's fascination with the royal family.
Asked if No 10 had overruled the King over the visit, a Downing Street spokesman said: “That’s untrue. During his visit to the White House in February the Prime Minister was delighted to extend His Majesty the King’s invite for a historic second state visit to the president and first lady and the president was pleased to accept.
“Of course the Prime Minister looks forward to welcoming President Trump.”
