Donald Trump cancelled his visit to a US war cemetery due to "bad weather" as world leaders mark 100 years since Armistice Day.

The US president was due to fly by helicopter to Belleau Wood cemetery about 55 miles (80km) east of the French capital on Saturday afternoon.

A delegation from the US including chief of staff General John Kelly and chairman of the joint chiefs of staff General Joe Dunford went instead, the White House added.

Image: White House Chief of Staff John Kelly at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery dedicated to the US soldiers killed in the Belleau Wood battle

Mr Trump is joining other world leaders for dinner at the Musee d'Orsay before going to another American cemetery in the Paris suburbs on Sunday morning.

He is still expected to attend a ceremony on Sunday in Paris, at the tomb of the unknown soldier, at the Arc de Triomphe, to mark the anniversary of the agreement.


Image: Mark Stone shared this image of Parisian skies on Saturday afternoon

He has already declined an invitation to the Paris Peace Forum, being run by Emmanuel Macron, which opens on Sunday afternoon.

Sky's Europe correspondent Mark Stone tweeted: "On the face of it, it does seem odd that @realDonaldTrump has cancelled a trip to US war cemetery east of Paris 'due to bad weather'. I'm no expert on flying presidential choppers but the weather's clearing up in Paris. To the east 70% chance of rain at cemetery this afternoon."

Image: Mr Macron and Ms Merkel in the railway carriage where the Armistice was signed

Image: Mr Macron and Ms Merkel at a cemetery in France

Angela Merkel has joined Mr Macron in Compiegne, north of Paris, to visit the site where the Armistice was signed in a railway carriage.

The German and French leaders laid a wreath and unveiled a ceremonial plaque at the memorial.

As he landed earlier on Saturday, Mr Trump asked if anything is better to celebrate than the end of a war.

His arrival comes amid a row between France and the US over Mr Macron's call for a European Army, which dominated their first press conference together at the Elysee Palace.

Image: Their meeting comes amid a row over a European army

The pair are also due to discuss trade while Mr Trump is in France, with the US leader saying they will see if they can "get over the line".

As he landed, Mr Trump tweeted: "I am in Paris getting ready to celebrate the end of World War One. Is there anything better to celebrate than the end of a war, in particular that one, which was one of the bloodiest and worst of all time?"

Members of The D-Day Darlings perform Dame Vera Lynn's wartime classic '(There'll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover'

Image: Donald and Melania Trump board Air Force One for France

Despite this year's Armistice being the centenary year, the events could be dominated by the row between Mr Trump and Mr Macron.

In his first comments after greeting the French leader, Mr Trump said: "We want a strong Europe, it's very important to us and whichever way we can do it the best and more efficient would be something we both want.

"We want to help Europe but it has to be fair. Right now the burden sharing has been largely on the United States."

Mr Macron has stood by his calls for European defence, and said: "It's unfair to have European security today being assured by the US.

"That's why I believe we need more European capacities and more defence to take this part of the burden."

Image: Mr Macron patted Mr Trump's knee at the end of the conference

The two leaders have forged a good relationship, often calling each other a "friend", but there was a level of tension when they met on Saturday morning.

As the press conference finished, Mr Macron smiled to cameras and placed a hand on Mr Trump's knee.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is also in France, where he paid homage to veterans at a First World War memorial in the north of the country.

Image: Justin Trudeau has been at the Canadian graves in France

He walked among the gravestones at the Canadian Cemetery number 2, where 820 casualties are buried.

Today, I joined our delegation of Canadian veterans at Vimy Ridge — to thank them for their service and to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of our freedom.



We will never forget.#CanadaRemembers pic.twitter.com/txn66KcnDM — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) 10 November 2018

Memorial events will be held across the world to mark 100 years to the day since the guns fell silent.

Image: Soldiers attend a Centenary service at the St Symphorien cemetery in Mons, Belgium

In London, Big Ben will strike even though the clock tower has been undergoing conservation works, and the bell has not been rung.

It will sound 11 times at 11am on Sunday, and a further 11 times at 12.30pm, in time with bells across the UK and worldwide.

Image: A dog wears a poppy on his collar at the St Symphorien cemetery

The Queen and members of the Royal Family will attend a service of commemoration at the Cenotaph in London.

She will also attend a service at Westminster Abbey, accompanied by The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, The Duke of Kent and Prince Michael of Kent.

She will lay flowers on the grave of the unknown soldier and Prince Charles will read passages from the Bible during the service.

A total of 60 heads of state will convene in Paris on Sunday for a programme of memorial events followed by lunch at the Elysee Palace and the opening session of the Paris Peace Forum.

Two services will take place at the Menin Gate in Ypres.