Donald Trump's eldest daughter Ivanka has triggered controversy after taking the President's seat at the G20 summit table with other world leaders in Hamburg.

Eyebrows were raised in diplomatic circles after a picture taken by a Russian official emerged showing the 35-year-old businesswoman and former model sat between China's President Xi Jinping and UK Prime Minister Theresa May.

It will also fuel claims of nepotism against the US leader, who has promoted family members to top White House roles.

The image of the First Daughter at the top table sparked a barrage of criticism on social media, with many raising concerns over her unelected status.

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Because an unelected, unqualified, unprepared New York socialite is the best person to represent American national interests https://t.co/hmRCfwebCc — Anne Applebaum (@anneapplebaum) July 8, 2017

In a post on Twitter, historian and columnist Anne Applebaum decried what she described as "an unelected, unqualified, unprepared New York socialite" being seen as "the best person to represent American national interests".

Ivanka Trump officially joined her father's administration as an unpaid employee with the title Assistant to the President earlier this year, following an outcry over her plans to serve in a more informal capacity.

Her husband, Jared Kushner, is a senior adviser to President Donald Trump.

Responding to the controversy, a White House official said: "Ivanka was sitting in the back and then briefly joined the main table when the President had to step out."

They also stressed that "when other leaders stepped out, their seats were also briefly filled by others".

Image: Mr Trump say he is 'very proud' of his daughter, who he hailed 'a champion'

Sky News' diplomatic editor Dominic Waghorn said the publication of the picture was likely to be the result of mischief-making by Moscow.

He said: "The Russian official probably would not have tweeted it without approval of her bosses and the message it sends out there is: 'You criticise Russia for not being a democracy; well, what kind of democracy is America?'

"So I guess playing mischief with the perceptions of America.

"I think it's more what you'd expect from a dictator really, using a family member to represent himself at an international summit, than you'd expect from a democratically elected American president."

Speaking earlier at the summit, which has seen violent riots outside, Mr Trump praised his daughter at the launch of a new women's entrepreneurship fund she helped organise.

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Image: Rioting continued for a second night on the streets of Hamburg in Germany Image: During protests against the G20 summit of world leaders in the city, dozens of cars were set on fire Image: Demonstrators also looted shops and tried unsuccessfully to block delegations from getting to the convention centre summit venue Image: Police responded with water cannon and also fired warning shots Image: As parts of the German city were on fire, world leaders were attending a classical music concert Image: Donald Trump and his wife Melania were among the guests at the performance of works by Beethoven Image: It took place at the Elbphilharmonie concert hall Image: The morning after the riots, the damage to shops was being assessed Image: Police stand guard outside a damaged store. Around 200 officers have been injured in this week's violence and dozens of people were detained /

He said: "I'm very proud of my daughter, Ivanka; always have been, from day one - I had to tell you that, from day one.

"She's always been great. A champion. She's a champion."

In a rare candid admission, Mr Trump added: "If she weren't my daughter it would be so much easier for her. That might be the only bad thing she has going, if you want to know the truth."