Donald Trump has said he "feels badly" for departing prime minister Theresa May, despite having repeatedly criticised her over the way she handled Brexit.

“I feel badly for Theresa – I like her very much. She’s a good woman, she worked very hard. She’s very strong,” he told reporters as he left the White House on his way for a visit to Japan.

“She decided to do something that some people were surprised at, some people weren’t. It’s for the good of her country.”

Mr Trump’s comments came after the prime minister, under intense pressure from elected members of the her own party, tearfully announced she will be standing down as leader on 7 June, though she will remain as premier until a successor is chosen.

As it is, Mr Trump is due to head to Britain on 3 June for a three-day official state visit, during which he will meet the prime minister.

Theresa May gets emotional during her resignation Show all 13 1 /13 Theresa May gets emotional during her resignation Theresa May gets emotional during her resignation British Prime Minister Theresa May reacts as she delivers a statement in London, Britain, May 24, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville TOBY MELVILLE Reuters Theresa May gets emotional during her resignation British Prime Minister Theresa May reacts as she delivers a statement in London, Britain, May 24, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville TOBY MELVILLE REUTERS Theresa May gets emotional during her resignation Prime Minister Theresa May making a statement outside at 10 Downing Street in London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday May 24, 2019. See PA story POLITICS Brexit. Photo credit should read: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Dominic Lipinski PA Theresa May gets emotional during her resignation British Prime Minister Theresa May reacts as she delivers a statement in London, Britain, May 24, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville TOBY MELVILLE REUTERS Theresa May gets emotional during her resignation Prime Minister Theresa May makes a statement outside at 10 Downing Street in London, where she announced she is standing down as Tory party leader on Friday June 7. PA Theresa May gets emotional during her resignation British Prime Minister Theresa May delivers a statement in London, Britain, May 24, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville TOBY MELVILLE REUTERS Theresa May gets emotional during her resignation British Prime Minister Theresa May delivers a statement in London, Britain, May 24, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville TOBY MELVILLE REUTERS Theresa May gets emotional during her resignation British Prime Minister Theresa May makes a statement, at Downing Street in London, Britain, May 24, 2019. REUTERS/Hannah McKay HANNAH MCKAY REUTERS Theresa May gets emotional during her resignation Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May announces her resignation outside 10 Downing street in central London on May 24, 2019. - Beleaguered British Prime Minister Theresa May announced on Friday that she will resign on June 7, 2019 following a Conservative Party mutiny over her remaining in power. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP)TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Theresa May gets emotional during her resignation British Prime Minister Theresa May makes a statement, at Downing Street in London, Britain, May 24, 2019. REUTERS/Hannah McKay HANNAH MCKAY REUTERS Theresa May gets emotional during her resignation British Prime Minister Theresa May delivers a statement in London, Britain, May 24, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville TOBY MELVILLE REUTERS Theresa May gets emotional during her resignation British Prime Minister Theresa May speaks in the street outside 10 Downing Street in London, England, Friday, May 24, 2019. Theresa May says she'll quit as UK Conservative leader on June 7, sparking contest for Britain's next prime minister. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) Alastair Grant AP Theresa May gets emotional during her resignation Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves after announcing her resignation outside 10 Downing street in central London on May 24, 2019. - Beleaguered British Prime Minister Theresa May announced on Friday that she will resign on June 7, 2019 following a Conservative Party mutiny over her remaining in power. (Photo by ISABEL INFANTES / AFP)ISABEL INFANTES/AFP/Getty Images ISABEL INFANTES AFP/Getty Images

Mr Trump’s relationship with Ms May has not always been easy, something that has put the British prime minister in the same camp as the leaders of other nations that have long been US allies, including France and Germany.

Last year, he visited her at her official country estate at Chequers, where they held a joint press conference.

“For generations, our predecessors have gathered at this stunning retreat to strengthen a bond that is like no other. The relationship between our two nations is indispensable to the cause of liberty, justice and peace,” said the president.

“The United Kingdom and the United States are bound together by a common historic heritage, language, and heroes.”

Theresa May talks about Sir Nicholas Winton's advice to her in resignation speech

But that same day, Mr Trump had been far less complementary of Ms May, telling The Sun he felt she had performed badly in her handling of Brexit.

“I would have done it much differently,” he said. “I actually told Theresa May how to do it but she didn’t agree, she didn’t listen to me. She wanted to go a different route.”

Ms May later told the BBC that Mr Trump had suggested to her that Britain “sue the EU”, rather than negotiate, something he had referred to at their press conference – without giving specifics – as a suggestion she considered “too brutal”.

“He told me I should sue the EU. Not go into negotiation, sue them,” Ms May said.

“Interestingly, what the president also said at that press conference was ‘Don’t walk away. Don’t walk away from the negotiations. Then you’re stuck’.”

In his interview with The Sun, Mr Trump also praised the former foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, one of those who has constantly been at odds with Ms May and who is said be be planning a run to replace her.

“I have a lot of respect for Boris. He obviously likes me, and says very good things about me,” he said.

“I was very saddened to see he was leaving government and I hope he goes back in at some point. I think he is a great representative for your country.”