Wales’ First Minister Eluned Morgan has turned down the King’s invitation to a state banquet with Donald Trump at Windsor Castle.

The US President arrived in London on Tuesday night with First Lady Melania Trump for his second state visit.

However, the Welsh government said Morgan wanted to support colleagues at an “incredibly difficult time” after the recent death of Caerphilly Member of the Senedd Hefin David.

But senior Welsh Conservative criticised her absence, saying the “no show” exposed political turmoil in Welsh Labour and a “weakness” for not representing the nation at a major state event.

Talks on scrapping tariffs on UK steel are on hold, with US officials raising concerns over Tata’s shift from blast furnaces to new electric arc furnaces, due in 2027.

Morgan congratulated Trump on his re-election last year, calling the US–Wales relationship “highly valued”, though in 2017 she had described him as “off-the-scale crazy” in a BBC Wales interview.

The Welsh government said Morgan wrote to the King to “thank him for his gracious invite” but feels “her place is here with colleagues as she continues to support them during this incredibly difficult time”.

Morgan is not the only high profile party leader to turn down an invite to the banquet.

In August, the Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said he was boycotting the event to send President Trump a message over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

But Scottish First Minister John Swinney said he would attend the Windsor event.

Plaid Cymru leaders Rhun ap Iorwerth and Liz Saville Roberts have criticised Starmer’s decision to welcome Trump with full state honours, warning that “his presence risks emboldening extremism at home and abroad”.