Meghan Markle will dodge awkward meeting with US President Donald Trump during his visit to the UK

THE Duchess of Sussex is to sidestep a potentially awkward meeting with Donald Trump next month.

Meghan is on maternity leave so will not have to attend any of the dinners and lunches during his state visit.

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It means the former Suits star will avoid shaking hands with the US president, whom she called misogynistic and divisive in 2016.

However, husband Prince Harry, 34, will be meeting Mr Trump and his family during a private lunch.

But the new dad will skip the biggest event, a state banquet on June 3.

As plain Meghan Markle, the Duchess backed Democrat rival Hillary Clinton during the 2016 election.

She said: “I’m voting for Hillary Clinton, not because she is a woman, but because Trump has made it easy to see that you don’t really want that kind of world that he’s painting.”

Meghan, now 37, also joked that she would move to Canada if Mr Trump won.

It was not likely she would have dodged a meeting to make a political statement.

But the arrival of baby Archie on May 6 gives her the ideal excuse not to be there, royal watchers say.

MEG DODGES AWKWARD MEET-UP

Also, it emerged that the Queen’s official welcome for Mr Trump will be held behind closed doors.

The president had wanted a carriage procession along the Mall after a ceremonial welcome on Horse Guards Parade in Central London.

But the US Secret Service vetoed the idea because of security concerns.

Instead, Mr Trump and wife Melania will be officially welcomed in The Queen’s back garden at Buckingham Palace.

Afterwards, there will be a private lunch for Mr Trump, who is also bringing four of his five children.

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The royals will roll out the red carpet for the banquet which will be attended by the Queen, Prince Charles and Camilla and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Charles will also have tea with the Trumps at Clarence House and attend a dinner at the US ambassador’s.

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