While the UK remains divided over Trump's state visit, Alan Duncan, the country's Minister of State for Europe and the Americas, defended Britain's decision to welcome the US president. Listen to what he had to say to our correspondent, Jamie Owen.

JAMIE OWEN LONDON "President Trump is going to make a state visit to the UK. We both know this country is bitterly divided over Brexit - What will President Trump's visit to the UK achieve?"

SIR ALAN DUNCAN UK MINISTER OF STATE FOR EUROPE AND THE AMERICAS "Well, I think it achieves what any state visit is designed to achieve which is a high level dignified elegant expression of bilateral friendship. The queen is unique. She was 93 last week. No other country can offer dinner with the queen. So when we have a state visit we hope that it is appreciated by the guest. And it is a deliberate statement by us as the hosts to say that you are a country to whom we'd like to extend this hospitality. And in the case of the US, You know, it doesn't matter how controversial the president is and it doesn't matter if we have a Labour prime minister and a Republican president or a Democrat president and a conservative prime minister. The U.S. and the U.K. on so many levels, based on trust a common language and shared history, work together. And so a state visit - whoever the president is - is a very natural thing. And I'm very pleased it's happening."

JAMIE OWEN LONDON "You're one of the people who will be responsible for some of the arrangements and the organization which in itself will be the most extraordinary feat. He will not necessarily get her a warm welcome on the streets of London, will he?"

ALAN DUNCAN UK MINISTER OF STATE FOR EUROPE AND THE AMERICAS "No he's a controversialist. He's unorthodox. And so he has some virulent opponents. He's also got some supporters and, of course, the affection for the United States as a country transcends the fact that it is just the president who is coming. So I think it will go fine and we will adapt accordingly. And I'm sure that he'll be well-received and that he will enjoy it."

JAMIE OWEN LONDON "And what do you say to those people, and there are many of them, who simply say the UK government shouldn't invite him. He shouldn't come here."

SIR ALAN DUNCAN UK MINISTER OF STATE FOR EUROPE AND THE AMERICAS "I say show diplomatic good manners. We have extended the invitation and we should be elegant and polite hosts."