THE French army has mocked Donald Trump after the president pulled out of a Remembrance Day event due to the rain.

Using the hashtag #MondayMotivation, they posted a picture of a soldier crawling under barbedwire, with the caption: “Il y a de la pluie, mais c’est pas grave” - it is raining, but it is not serious.

14 The French army took a not so subtle dig at Donald Trump

The American President had been expected to pay tribute to more than 1,000 US Marines killed in the Battle of Belleau Wood, some 50 miles north east of Paris, on Saturday afternoon.

But a less than an hour before the ceremony at the Aisne-Marine American cemetery was due to start, he pulled out.

The White House claimed the weather had created "logistical difficulties" with the Marine One helicopter.

It was also speculated the bow-out was because of a public spat with Emmanuel Macron.

14 Donald Trump did visit the Suresnes American Cemetery Credit: EPA

He opted instead to stay at his Ambassador’s Residence in the French capital with his wife, first lady Melania Trump.

The decision was said to be down to "bad weather", which allegedly prevented the presidential helicopter, Marine 1, travelling to Belleau.

This excuse was widely criticised, including by Conservative MP Nicholas Soames, who is Winston Churchill’s grandson.

"They died with their face to the foe and that pathetic inadequate Donald Trump couldn’t even defy the weather to pay his respects to the Fallen," he wrote on Twitter.

14 Relations between Trump and Macron appeared fraught at the Elysee Palace on Saturday Credit: Reuters

In the wake of the criticism Mr Trump’s press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, issued a fresh excuse, saying the use of the presidential Cadillac to get to Belleau would have disrupted traffic around Paris.

"President Trump did not want to cause that kind of unexpected disruption to the city and its people."

Mrs Huckabee Sanders also claimed the journey from Paris to Belleau was "two-and-a-half hours each way by car" – a claim that has also caused widespread astonishment, as it is not true.

It takes just over one hour, according to AA's route planner.

The Battle of Belleau Wood in 1918 was a pivotal action during the First World War, and it is now part of Marine Corps lore.

14 Trump paying his respects at Suresnes Credit: EPA

In Donald Trump's absence, White House Chief of Staff John Kelly lays wreath in honour of World War I dead at Aisne-Marne cemetery in France

In the end, the ceremony at Belleau was attended by the White House chief of staff, retired Marine General John Kelly, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine General Joe Dunford.

The Battle of Belleau Wood in 1918 was a pivotal action during the First World War, and it is now part of Marine Corps lore.

Mr Trump never got to Belleau throughout his weekend in Paris, where he joined other world leaders in commemorating the centenary of the First World War Armistice.

14 Donald and Melania Trump at the international ceremony for the Centenary of the WWI Armistice Credit: EPA

Questions had been raised over Trump's non-attendance due to low cloud as his Chief of Staff John F Kelly managed the trip by car from Paris, as notable figures condemned the president for not attending.

Political commentator and former speechwriter for George W Bush, David Frum said: "It's incredible that a president would travel to France for this significant anniversary - and then remain in his hotel room watching TV rather than pay in person his respects to the Americans who gave their lives in France for the victory gained 100 years ago tomorrow.

"None of this is surprising. Doesn't make it any less dismaying... These troops fought victoriously alongside allies with whom the US still stands today. It's worth a few miles in a limo, a few words from under a tarp."

14 Trump appeared unimpressed throughout the photocall with Macron Credit: AFP

They died with their face to the foe and that pathetic inadequate @realDonaldTrump couldn’t even defy the weather to pay his respects to The Fallen #hesnotfittorepresenthisgreatcountry — Nicholas Soames (@NSoames) November 10, 2018

It's incredible that a president would travel to France for this significant anniversary - and then remain in his hotel room watching TV rather than pay in person his respects to the Americans who gave their lives in France for the victory gained 100 years ago tomorrow — David Frum (@davidfrum) November 10, 2018

None of this is surprising. Doesn't make it any less dismaying. 53,000 US combat deaths. 63,000 dead of disease. 320,000 wounded. These troops fought victoriously alongside allies with whom the US still stands today. It's worth a few miles in a limo, a few words from under a tarp — David Frum (@davidfrum) November 10, 2018

I helped plan all of President Obama’s trips for 8 years. There is always a rain option. Always. https://t.co/exZNlONQOp — Ben Rhodes (@brhodes) November 10, 2018

And Ben Rhodes, a former senior staffer for Barack Obama said: "I helped plan all of President Obama’s trips for 8 years. There is always a rain option. Always."

However, it's been speculated that the President and First Lady Melania's no-show on Saturday afternoon came after French President Emmanuel Macron said the EU needed a joint army if the US was pulling out of a disarmament treaty with Russia.

"We have to protect ourselves with respect to China, Russia, and even the United States of America," Macron said.

On Sunday he did, however, get to Suresnes, another cemetery close to Paris, where he paid tribute to America’s war dead.

During his visit to Suresnes, Trump said: “Exactly 100 years ago today, on November 11th, 1918, World War 1 came to an end. Thank God. It was a brutal war.

President Macron of France has just suggested that Europe build its own military in order to protect itself from the U.S., China and Russia. Very insulting, but perhaps Europe should first pay its fair share of NATO, which the U.S. subsidizes greatly! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 9, 2018

14 During the engagement, the pair appeared tense following Trump's tweet Credit: Reuters

14 Trump appeared unimpressed during the meeting Credit: AFP

“Millions of Americans, French, and Allied troops had fought with extraordinary skill and valour in one of the bloodiest conflicts in human history.

"We are gathered together, at this hallowed resting place, to pay tribute to the brave Americans who gave their last breath in that might struggle.”

Fuelling frosty relations between the pair, Trump responded in a tweet - prior to meeting with Macron in Paris - saying that the comments were "very insulting".

And during the meeting between Trump and Macron on Saturday at the Elysee Palace in Paris, relations seemed to tumble south as the pair were snapped awkward and tense in photos, with Macron awkwardly reaching for Trump's leg as the stony-faced president appeared downcast and unimpressed.

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Despite the awkward photos, Macron, 40, called Trump "my friend" as Trump, 72, 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."

14 At one point during the meeting, Macron appeared to awkwardly touch Trump's knee Credit: EPA

14 The two leaders appeared to be friendly in front of the cameras - but shared an awkward handshake Credit: AP:Associated Press

14 Donald Trump cancelled his trip to a WW1 cemetery to mark the Armistice Centenary - initially due to rain Credit: AP:Associated Press

14 The pair have endured frosty relations in the past Credit: AFP

14 White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, left, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford attend a ceremony on Trump's behalf Credit: AP:Associated Press

14 John F Kelly leaves the cemetery and memorial in Belleau, France Credit: AFP or licensors

Emmanuel Macron calls for creation of a ‘true European army’ to defend against Russia and the US

Macron echoed those words, saying he wanted Europe to bear a greater share of the defence costs within NATO, a point he has made repeatedly since taking office, alongside calls for Europe to develop its own military capability.

In lieu of the president, the White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford attend on their behalf.

A White House spokesperson said: "The President and First Lady's trip to Ainse-Marne American Cemetery and Mermorial has been cancelled due to scheduling and logistical difficulties caused by the weather.

"An American delegation led by Chief of Staff general John Kelly and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joe Dunford will attend on their behalf."

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