This year marks NATO’s 70th birthday, but will see leaders attempt to repair the deep cracks showing in the military alliance. The meeting is already overshadowed by a bitter row between Turkey and France over President Emmanuel Macron calling the bloc “brain dead”.

So what time will Trump meet the Queen?

The Queen and other members of the Royal Family are expected to host a drinks reception at Buckingham Palace for Donald Trump and other NATO leaders at 6pm on Tuesday evening.

The Queen will be joined by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall in receiving the guests, while other royals are also expected to attend.

The Duke of Cambridge is away in the Middle East on an engagement, so won’t be there.

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The reception will be quite different to the one enjoyed by the US president in the summer, when the Queen hosted him on a state visit.

State visits have all the pomp and ceremony of a royal red carpet event, while this week’s will be more pared back.

After the palace drinks, the leaders will be whisked off for a dinner reception at Downing Street, hosted by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Then on Wednesday, the summit will officially begin at the luxury Grove Hotel on the outskirts of Watford.

Tensions within NATO have grown since the election of Mr Trump, and now threaten to overshadow the whole summit.

Mr Trump has repeatedly complained that Europe’s NATO countries are not contributing enough to the bloc, created to counter the threat of post-World War Two communist expansion.

Last month, French President Macron called the black “brain dead”, saying members were no longer co-operating on key issues.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan responded by saying Mr Macron should have his own “brain death” checked.

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In this fractious environment, Boris Johnson will try play the role of peacemaker.

Mr Johnson’s spokesman said: “The PM’s position is that NATO is the most enduring and successful alliance in military history and that it continues to adapt to the evolving threats that we face.

“It is the cornerstone of Euro-Atlantic security and it helps to keep a billion people safe.

“The PM will emphasise that all members must be united behind shared priorities so NATO can adapt to the challenges ahead.”

A White House statement last month said: “President Trump looks forward to meeting with the other NATO Heads of State and government to review the Alliance’s unprecedented progress on burden-sharing, including adding more than $100bn in new defence spending since 2016.

“The president will also emphasise the need for the NATO Alliance to ensure its readiness for the threats of tomorrow, including those emanating from cyberspace, those affecting our critical infrastructure and telecommunications networks, and those posed by terrorism.”

Mr Trump will be met with fierce protests in London, as demonstrators assemble in Trafalgar Square before marching down The Mall to Buckingham Palace, at around 5.45pm, shortly before Mr Trump arrives.

Stop the War, CND, and other groups are expected to attend.

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