DONALD Trump yesterday grabbed Theresa May by the hand as he declared: “We are going to have a fantastic relationship.”

In a boost for Britain’s post-Brexit hopes, the US President also pledged to deliver on his offer of a big trade deal with London.

23 Trump holds Theresa May's hand as they walk through the White House, where the President vowed that Brexit will be a 'great thing' for the UK Credit: EPA

23 Trump and May were filmed holding hands as they walked through the White House Credit: Sky News

He even went so far as to call the UK’s divorce from the EU a “blessing to the world” as he threw his weight behind the landmark referendum result.

He said: “I think it will go down as a fantastic thing for the United Kingdom.”

The eyes of the world were on the two leaders yesterday for their historic first meeting at the White House to see if Mrs May could exert any influence over Mr Trump’s controversial thinking.

23 Trump and Theresa May talked of the very special friendship that emerged from their meeting Credit: Getty Images

23 The pair held a joint press conference in the White House Credit: AP:Associated Press

At one stage, the President threw protocol out of the window by holding the PM’s hand to walk her down colonnade steps and then rubbed it.

The New York tycoon called it a great honour to welcome Mrs May to Washington as his first visiting world leader only seven days after his inauguration in a diplomatic coup for Britain.

The pair carried out a traditional exchange of gifts with Mr Trump giving his guest an antique picture of Abraham Lincoln taken from an 1865 edition of Harper’s Weekly magazine. Her husband Philip got a pair of silver cufflinks.

In return, Mrs May gave Mr Trump a Scottish cup of friendship, known as a quaich, reflecting his ancestry.

As they held a joint press conference in the White House’s East Wing, Mr Trump also reminded the world of his mother’s Scottish roots.

23 Mrs May confirmed that President Trump would make a state visit to the UK this year Credit: Reuters

23 President Trump told journalists that the special relationship was "stronger than ever" Credit: AP:Associated Press

Asked by The Sun about how the two very different characters will get on, the President said: “I am a people person and I think you are also, Theresa.

“I can often tell how I am going to get along with someone very early, and I believe we are going to have a fantastic relationship.

“We are going to get along very well.”

Responding, Mrs May relayed a formal invitation from the Queen to make a state visit to Britain this summer, which he accepted.

She also congratulated the 70-year-old on his “stunning” election victory, adding: “I look forward to continuing to work with you.”

The PM said the pair were ambitious on the future transatlantic trade deal’s scope, saying they had authorised high-level talks to begin.

At times appearing to dominate Mr Trump, she also insisted she had wrung a promise from him that he was “100 per cent behind Nato”.

State visit in spite of tweets on Kate pics By JAMES BEAL THE Queen will host Donald Trump and First Lady ­Melania in a potentially awkward state visit following his remarks on Kate Middleton sunbathing topless. Her Majesty will welcome America’s new president to Buckingham Palace later this year, Theresa May announced yesterday. It comes after Mr Trump blamed the Duchess of Cambridge when topless snaps of her were published in 2012. He tweeted: “Who wouldn’t take Kate’s picture and make lots of money if she does the nude sunbathing thing. Come on Kate!” Billionaire Trump, 70, has also claimed he could have bedded Princess Diana. He has previously revealed his Scottish mother loved Her Majesty and is said to be angling for a trip to her private Scottish home of Balmoral. Mrs May said: “I have today been able to convey Her Majesty the Queen’s hope that President Trump and the First Lady would pay a state visit to the UK later this year and I am delighted that the President has accepted.” The Queen traditionally holds one or two state visits a year, but will help the “special relationship” by fitting in Trump.

23 President Trump said he was "100% behind Nato" Credit: AP:Associated Press

23 President Trump said it was a 'great honour' to see Winston Churchill's bust back in the Oval Office. The pair posed with the bust between them moments after the Prime Minister's arrival Credit: PA:Press Association

Asked what the two leaders have in common, she said: “I think if you look at the approach we are both taking, one of the things we have in common is we want to put the interests of ordinary working people up there, centre stage”.

In a bid to appear statesmanlike, Mr Trump tried to abandon his usual confrontational approach to the media.

At one stage, he even insisted: “Actually I am not as brash as you might think”. But he did flash in anger at a question on torture from the BBC’s political editor Laura Kuenssberg.

And on Russia, he disappointed British officials by refusing to say he would stand up to defend Eastern Europe against Vladimir Putin’s aggression.

The PM’s visit came as it was announced the President will speak to Mr Putin for the first time today, sparking alarm he could walk away from Nato.

Mrs May and Mr Trump also clashed on whether to keep up sanctions on Russia for its invasion of the Crimea and eastern Ukraine.

23 The President flashed a thumbs-up next to Mrs May

23 The two leaders shake hands inside the White House Credit: i-Images Picture Agency

While the PM said she was determined to keep them in place, Mr Trump would only reply: “We’ll see what happens.”

On Mr Putin, he said: “We’ll see what happens. We look to have a great relationship with all countries ideally. On Putin and Russia, I don’t say good, bad or indifferent. I don’t know the gentleman.” Wearing a striking red suit, Mrs May was greeted by the President at the entrance to the White House’s West Wing just before noon.

After a tour of the Oval Office, the pair held talks for 45 minutes alongside the PM’s National Security Advisor Mark Lyall Grant, the UK’s ambassador Sir Kim Darroch and her joint chiefs of staff Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill.

The pair then broke off for their press conference, Mr Trump’s first since his inauguration a week ago, before sitting down for an hour-long lunch.

In a bid to win influence across Mr Trump’s administration, Mrs May also schmoozed senior US Cabinet ministers during a drinks do at the British Embassy on Thursday night.

Her guests included Defence Secretary General James “Mad Dog” Mattis, his Commerce Secretary nominee Wilbur Ross and White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer.

BBC's had its quips By LYNN DAVIDSON DONALD Trump mocked the BBC’s political editor with a joke about the Special Relationship as she grilled him over backing torture and praising Russia. Laura Kuenssberg also referred to him wanting to ban Muslims and his anti-abortion stance as she asked him at the White House: “What do you say to our viewers at home who are worried about some of your views?” The President quipped: “There goes that relationship.” He then turned and smiled at Theresa May — asking her: “This was your choice of a question?”



23 President Trump posed for a picture with the American flag

She also honoured America’s war heroes before her White House visit.

She laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

In a nod to the history of the special relationship between the UK and US, she placed a second wreath at the grave of Brit Sir John Dill, the Field Marshal sent to Washington as Churchill’s personal representative during World War Two. But opposition MPs have criticised Mrs May for “cosying up” to Mr Trump despite his controversial views on Mexican immigrants, Muslims and Putin.

Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto cancelled his planned visit to the White House on Thursday.

The stand-off came after Mr Trump’s demand that his country pay for a 2,000-mile wall along the border between the countries.

Former Labour leader Ed Miliband branded it a mistake for the PM to “align yourself so closely with his project”.

Some British reporters were initially locked out of the White House ahead of the landmark press conference — because guards were confused about their date of birth.

23 Buzzfeed UK political editor Jim Waterson was among British reporters locked out of the White House because Secret Service officials were confused about their date of birth Credit: Twitter

23 Mail on Sunday reporter Ned Donovan was rapped by a press aide for laughing at their blunder Credit: Twitter

23 Reporter Ned Donovan was asked "Why is that funny?" when he was denied entry Credit: Twitter

A press pack from the UK were held at the gates because security officials could not understand their documents listing birth dates in day, month and year.

Dates of birth in the US are listed in month, day and year.

Mail on Sunday reporter Ned Donovan said: "White House press officer just told me off on the phone for laughing when they told me about not knowing British date formats were different."

Quoting a press aide, he said: "Why is that funny? One person put their birthday as 01/08[year], why would we be expected to think that means August 1st? Why?"

President Trump and Theresa May - what did they say? On Russian sanctions: Trump: "We’ll see what happens. We look to have a great relationship with all countries ideally." May: “We believe sanctions should continue until the Minsk agreement is implemented.” On their disagreements: May: “The point of the special relationship is so that we can have frank discussions. There are many issues on which we agree”. On Torture: Trump: “General Mattis has stated publicly that he does not agree with torture. I am allowing him to overrule me.” On Mexico: Trump: “We had a very good call. Great respect for Mexico and the Mexican people. As you know Mexico has out-negotiated us. On top of that the border is soft and weak. I’m not going to let that happen. We are going to be working on a fair relationship. But the US cannot afford to lose out anymore. In the end I think it’s going to work out better for both countries”. On Brexit: Trump: “We will be talking to your folks about Brexit. I think Brexit’s going to be a wonderful thing. You are going to have your own identity, make your own free trade deals. Getting approvals from Europe was difficult. I think Brexit will be a fantastic thing for the United Kingdom. On what they have in common: May: “We want to put the interests of ordinary working people at centre stage. It’s that interest in ensuring economies and government works for ordinary people.”

23 The PM was the first world leader to sign the White House visitors book under President Trump Credit: PA:Press Association

23 Trump said he was pleased to have placed the bust of Winston Churchill back in the White House Credit: EPA

The Prime Minister donned a striking red dress that she also wore to meet President Obama in the past - and matching shoes.

She was quickly rushed into the White House and wasted no time before being the first head of government to sign the White House book under the new President.

They then posed for photographs next to the Churchill bust where Mr Trump said it was a "great honour" to have him back in the Oval Office.

Mrs May replied: "Well thank you, Mr President."

The pair carried out a traditional exchange of gifts with Mr Trump giving his guest an antique picture of Abraham Lincoln taken from a 1865 edition of Harper’s Weekly magazine.

Her husband Philip got a pair of silver cufflinks.

The pair had around an hour of private meetings ahead of the press conference.

They were seen walking through the White House hand-in-hand as they made their way to face journalists questions — including one from Sun man Tom Newton Dunn, who quizzed the world leaders on Brexit and what they share in common.

The Prime Minister said: "We want to put the interests of ordinary working people at centre stage.

"It’s that interest in ensuring economies and government works for ordinary people."

23 The President was seen snatching for Theresa May's hand before they faced journalists Credit: Sky News

23 President Trump welcomed Mrs May into his new home Credit: Getty Images

23 Mrs May was greeted by President Trump as her car pulled up outside the White House this afternoon Credit: Getty Images

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande will have get a phonecall with President Trump tomorrow, while Mrs May was given the red carpet treatment in Washington.

Her visit has sparked widespread comparisons between the iconic relationship that the former PM Margaret Thatcher had with President Reagan in the 1980s.

Mrs Thatcher visited Reagan a month after he took office in 1981 and she received an unusually warm welcome with a “lavish, colourful ceremony”.

23 Mrs May wore the SAME dress to meet President Obama in China last year Credit: Reuters

23 Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan had a close relationship as PM and President in the 80s Credit: Getty Images

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Before arriving at the White House this afternoon, Mrs May laid a wreath at America's national war cemetery.

The Prime Minister visited the tomb of the unknown warrior in Arlington, Washington.

She laid a wreath of red roses at the site surrounded by American troops holding British and US flags.

23 Theresa May laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at the Arlington National Cemetery in Washington DC Credit: Reuters

Last night Mrs May ripped up 20 years of foreign policy to declare an end to Britain’s “failed wars” and foreign interventions.

No longer will UK troops go abroad to help make countries democratic and more like ours, the PM declared.

Addressing US law makers in Philadelphia, Mrs May said: “The days of Britain and America intervening in sovereign countries in an attempt to remake the world in our own image are over.”

North Dakota Congressman Kevin Cramer said today that after hearing the Prime Minister’s speech last night, he thought she had a lot of similarities with the new US President.

He said: “As I watching her and listening to her, I thought ‘is this Donald Trump’s long lost sister?"

“There was real similarities while at the same time, clearly a different take on certain global issues but at the same time, a great respect for nationalism and patriotism and certainly national security.”