Donald Trump showed Angela Merkel his bedroom on her most recent visit to Washington, the US ambassador to Germany has claimed.

In one of the more bizarre attempts to defend Mr Trump’s personal relations with the German chancellor, Richard Grenell said the president had given her a “very personal” tour of his private living quarters.

“Donald Trump personally led the Chancellor through the part of the White House where he actually lives,” Mr Grenell said in an interview with several German newspapers.

“Angela Merkel even saw the president's living room and bedroom. That was very personal. No president has shown that to her before.”

The US has been at pains to deny reports that Mr Trump and Mrs Merkel have a strained relationship.