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| Donald Trump state visit to UK being considered | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The UK government is considering inviting US President-elect Donald Trump for a state visit, Downing Street has said. | The UK government is considering inviting US President-elect Donald Trump for a state visit, Downing Street has said. |
| The Republican, who beat Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in the election earlier this month, is due to take office on 20 January. | The Republican, who beat Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in the election earlier this month, is due to take office on 20 January. |
| Earlier this year, MPs debated the idea of banning Mr Trump from the UK. | Earlier this year, MPs debated the idea of banning Mr Trump from the UK. |
| But the government has stressed the importance of maintaining the "special relationship" between the countries. | But the government has stressed the importance of maintaining the "special relationship" between the countries. |
| Prime Minister Theresa May's official spokeswoman said: "An invitation for a state visit is one of the things that is under consideration following the election of a new US president. One of the issues under consideration is the 2017 state visits." | |
| State visits are formal trips to the UK by foreign heads of state from overseas. There are usually two a year and invitations are sent on the advice of the Foreign Office. | |
| The Queen acts as host, with the visitor usually staying either at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle. | |
| Visits normally begin with a ceremonial welcome attended by The Queen and other senior members of the Royal Family, while a State Banquet is held in his or her honour. | |
| Mr Trump's predecessor, Barack Obama, made a state visit to the UK in April. He was accorded the same honour in 2011. |