Donald Trump and the First Lady will be in the UK from June 3-5, for an official State Visit, following his working visit last year.
The lavish banquet thrown by Her Majesty the Queen in Trump’s honour is set to be the glitiziest affair of the US President’s trip.
It’s understood that the Queen personally oversees the preparations for such formal occasions.
Male guests will wear formal white tie coats with tails and women formal evening gowns and bot the Queen and Trump are both set to make speeches.
While Prince Harry , Duke of Sussex and Theresa May are set to attend but a number of high profile politicians are snubbing the event because of their opposition to the outspoken President’s policies.
Jeremy Corbyn
(Image: PA)
The Labour leader has said he will not attend because of Mr Trump’s “racist and misogynistic rhetoric”.
Mr Corbyn, who took part in the protests against the President’s visit last year, has opposed offering Trump a state visit.
In a statement, Mr Corbyn said: “Theresa May should not be rolling out the red carpet for a state visit to honour a President who rips up vital international treaties, backs climate change denial and uses racist and misogynistic rhetoric.”
“Maintaining an important relationship with the United States does not require the pomp and ceremony of a State Visit.
“It is disappointing that the Prime Minister has again opted to kowtow to this US administration.”
The Labour leader instead called for a meeting with the controversial commander-in-chief to discuss “matters of interest”.
Sir Vince Cable
(Image: David Betts Photography)
Sir Vince Cable has politely declined an invitation to the State Dinner with Donald Trump.
The Lib Dem leader rejected his invitation to the bash with a letter to Buckingham Palace staff but he said he meant “no disrespect” to the Queen.
He said the state visit was a “shameful stain” on the government.
He wrote: “I have taken the view that as a party leader I should not support state visits where the government of the day has issued invitations inappropriately.
(Image: PA)
“I did not accept an invitation to attend a State Banquet with the King of Saudi Arabia for that reason.
“I hope and trust Her Majesty The Queen will understand that I decline this invitation out of no disrespect to her.
“I am of course hugely honoured to have been invited.”
After sending the letter, Sir Vince added: “The Conservative Government has prevailed on the Palace to host President Trump, and they are dutifully doing so.
“But we should not be beguiled by pomp and circumstance into hobnobbing with a man who is on record as a misogynist and a racist.
“If we need to do business with the United States on an intergovernmental basis, we can do that without rolling out the red carpet in this way.
“The fact this state visit is occurring at all is a shameful stain on the Government, who doubtless see it as a distraction from the mess they are making of running the country.”
Ian Blackford
The SNP’s leader at Westminster Ian Blackford has also turned down an invitation.
The Highland MP said: “Rather than laying out all the pomp and ceremony of a state visit, Theresa May should instead be holding meetings to challenge the US administration and raise key issues.
“Scotland holds close ties of family, history and economy with the people of the United States, which we are immensely proud of and will continue to champion.
“Whilst Theresa May panders to Trump, the SNP will not compromise on our core values of respect, equality and tolerance,” added Mr Blackford.
John Bercow
(Image: Dan Kitwood)
Speaker John Bercow’s office declined to give a reason for his non-attendance.
“Mr Speaker has been invited to the banquet, but he will not be attending,” a spokesperson for Mr Bercow said.
Shortly after Mr Trump’s election Mr Bercow said he opposed the businessman addressing the chamber.
He said he was “strongly opposed” to him doing so as a result of concerns about his controversial ban on Muslim immigration.
