President Donald Trump's state visit to the UK may have been delayed to allow dissent over the controversial trip to dissipate, according to reports.

On Friday, Buckingham Palace announced that the King of Spain will travel to Britain in June, which pointed "strongly" towards an October visit by Mr Trump, the Press Association said.

In a short statement, Buckingham Palace said: "King Felipe VI, accompanied by Queen Letizia of Spain, has accepted an invitation from the Queen to pay a state visit to the United Kingdom from 6th to 8th June 2017.

"The King and Queen of Spain will stay at Buckingham Palace."

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King Felipe postponed a state visit to Britain in March last year because of a political crisis in Spain.


But there have been reports saying that Mr Trump's visit had been moved from June until the end of the year in the hope that any protests would be lessened.

Last week, The Sun newspaper quoted a senior government source as saying: "Trump still really wants to come this year, but he wants the heat to die down a bit first."

Image: King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain will stay at Buckingham Palace

An online petition calling for Mr Trump not to make a state visit was signed by 1.8 million people.

Despite the strong opposition, the Government has said the visit will go ahead.

Prime Minister Theresa May announced that Mr Trump was being extended the honour of a state visit when she became the first international leader to visit him at the White House following his inauguration in January.

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A date for the visit would be announced "in due course", Downing Street said.

Theresa May's official spokesman said: "The Spanish state visit is taking place in June.

"We look forward to welcoming the king and queen. It's an opportunity to celebrate our close historic, commercial and cultural ties.

"The invitation to Donald Trump has been made, it's been accepted and it still stands."