Diplomats on both sides are trying to determine how to stage a scaled-down "working" trip to the UK, possibly as early as January, instead of being extended the honor of a lavish state visit.
His planned visit will be a more low key event, where he would be a guest of the US ambassador Woody Johnson rather than Britain's royal family.
It has been suggested that the move will disappoint Mr. Trump, who is understood to have asked for a carriage ride down The Mall and a round of golf at Balmoral, the Queen's holiday retreat in the Scottish highlands. The president has previously spoken of how his Scottish mother was a "big fan" of Her Majesty.
Both British and US officials have insisted a full visit would still go ahead but refused to comment on claims his first trip to Britain as president will now be a more muted affair, having been left out of the most recent Queen's Speech leading to claims that preparations had stalled.
"Our position on the State Visit has not changed — an offer has been extended and President Trump has accepted. Exact dates for President Trump to visit have not yet been arranged," a Foreign Office spokesman said.
Not So 'Special Relationship'
Some critics of the proposed full-scale state visit have suggested it could be viewed as a further softening of the "special relationship" between Britain and the United States as hopes of an impending trade deal appear distant.
The news has, however, prompted a bitter outburst from former UKIP leader Nigel Farage, who branded the decision as the "biggest insult" to a democratically elected leader. He insisted Britain should have welcomed the "most powerful man in the world" with open arms.
I’m live on @LBC talking about @realDonaldTrump’s state visit. https://t.co/mLT8JIVW89
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) October 11, 2017
"What I'm saying is, is this not the biggest insult to a democratically elected US president? The rest of the world rolls out the red carpet but for us, it will be a working visit. Whether you like Trump or you don't like Trump, he's the most powerful man in the world," Mr. Farage insisted.
"Everywhere he goes he is given a full state visit and yet, with this country, it has been decided that when he will come in 2018 he will not go to Buckingham Palace for dinner. He will not stay at Buckingham Palace. He will probably stay with the United States' new ambassador, Woody Johnson, and they got a residence down in Battersea. It's all been downgraded," he added.
Divisions, Displeasures, Petitions
The official invitation by Theresa May — traditionally reserved for a US president's second term in office — immediately prompted threats of mass protests and boycotts over the president's controversial record. Indeed the White House had to deny reports made during the summer that Mr. Trump wanted to delay his visit until he could be assured of a better reception from the public.
More than 1.8 million people in Britain signed a petition against the plans, prompting House of Commons speaker John Bercow to announce his opposition to a move to allow Mr. Trump to address parliament.
MPs from across the political aisle criticized the invitation, more than 200 signed an early day motion opposing it, as did London mayor Sadiq Khan to voice his displeasure, saying he was "not sure it is appropriate for our government to roll out the red carpet" for the president.
It is understood the president is planning to visit other European capital cities in the coming year, having already made trips to Paris where he spent Bastille Day as the guest of French president Emmanuel Macron, as well as the Vatican and Hamburg where he attended G20 talks.
