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BRITAIN

Queen to receive Spanish king in June, then Trump

Queen Elizabeth II will host Spanish King Felipe VI on his state visit to Britain in June, Buckingham Palace said on Friday, meaning US President Donald Trump's trip will have to be later in the year.

Queen to receive Spanish king in June, then Trump
Queen Elizabeth II will host Spanish King Felipe VI on his state visit to Britain in June. Photo: Chris Jackson/AFP

Felipe VI and his wife Letizia, who had been forced to postpone their planned visit last year because of the political crisis in Spain, will now visit Britain on June 6th-8th, the palace said in a statement.

This means Trump's state visit will be “later in the year,” Prime Minister Theresa May's spokesman said.

British media have reported that October is the most likely date for the US leader, whose trip is expected to be accompanied by massive protests.

The police earlier said they were preparing for Trump to arrive in June but reports citing senior government sources later said this had been delayed.

May extended the invitation for a state visit, a high honour that involves a banquet with Queen Elizabeth II, when she met Trump at the White House in late January.

It was part of a charm offensive intended to strengthen bilateral ties as Britain prepares to leave the European Union.

But coming at the same time as Trump announced his ban on refugees and travellers from seven mainly Muslim countries, it sparked public outrage in Britain.

More than 1.8 million signed a petition asking for the visit to be cancelled, prompting a debate in parliament where several lawmakers condemned the proposal.

The Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, has also said he believes Trump should not be allowed the honour of giving a speech to parliament.

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ROYAL FAMILY

Danish queen out of hospital after back surgery

Denmark's Queen Margrethe II was discharged from hospital on Thursday after back surgery last week though a full recovery is expected to last months, the Danish Royal House announced.

Danish queen out of hospital after back surgery

The 82-year-old, Europe’s longest reigning monarch, underwent a “major” back operation last Wednesday at Rigshospitalet, the country’s largest
hospital.

“The medical team responsible for the operation and the subsequent hospitalisation is satisfied with the process and with The Queen’s condition,”
the court said in a statement.

The Danish monarch is now staying at her palace in Amalienborg and will undergo “a lengthy physical rehabilitation process, which may extend over the
next few months”, the court warned.

Crown Prince Frederik will “continue as regent for the time being.”

The palace had already announced that a number of events in its official programme would be postponed, cancelled or attended by other members of the
royal family as a result of her operation.

The exact nature of the operation has not been specified. The queen had undergone a lumbar canal operation 20 years ago.

The queen, who was widowed in 2018, is extremely popular in Denmark. More than 80 percent of Danes say they support the monarchy, with thousands turning out to celebrate her 50th anniversary on the throne last year.

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