Trump brands Meghan Markle ‘nasty’ after criticism ahead of UK visit

Duchess of Sussex once described US president as ‘misogynistic’ and ‘divisive’

Donald Trump has branded the Duchess of Sussex as “nasty” after hearing she made critical comments about him during his 2016 election campaign.

When she was working as an actress Meghan Markle described the US president as “misogynistic” and “divisive”.

She added that she would be tempted to move to Canada if he won the US presidential election.

Asked about her comments, Mr Trump told The Sun that he was not aware of comments.

But he said: ”I didn’t know that she was nasty.”

Mr Trump’s comments come ahead of his official state visit to the UK next week alongside several of his family members.

The US leader will be welcomed in the Buckingham Palace garden, before a state banquet in the palace’s ballroom on his trip.

He will also tour Westminster Abbey.

Along with his wife Melania and four adult children, he is expected to meet the Queen, Prince Charles, Prince William and his wife, Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge.

Mr Trump is also expected to meet Prince Harry, although Meghan is currently on maternity leave with their son Archie and is not expected to meet him.

The Duchess of Sussex has previously criticised Mr Trump and expressed support for his rival for the presidency, Hillary Clinton.

“You’re not just voting for a woman if it’s Hillary because she’s a woman, but certainly because Trump has made it easy to see that you don’t really want that kind of world that he’s painting,” she said in a 2016 interview on The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore.

Despite calling her “nasty”, Mr Trump said Meghan would make “a very good” American princess.

Asked for his thoughts on her joining the royal family, he said: “It is nice, and I am sure she will do excellently. She will be very good. I hope she does (succeed).”

He also said Boris Johnson would be “an excellent” prime minister, describing him as a “very good guy”.

It is highly unusual for a sitting US president to involve themselves in a UK political leadership contest and his comments risk sparking a diplomatic row.

Mr Trump also said he said he was “really loved” in the UK, adding: “I don’t imagine any US president was ever closer to your great land.”

But as with last year’s visit, protesters are planning to take to the streets to express their opposition Mr Trump and his policies.

Scotland Yard said it has an experienced team ready to lead the huge police and security operation in response to the protests.

Additional reporting by Press Association