President DOnald Trump’s official state visit to the UK has been filled with the pomp and ceremony – something that the Brits famously do so well.

It has also been hit with protests across London.

However, it’s my opinion that the president should be embraced as the democratically-elected leader of a great country that is offering its support at a time when, due to the ongoing chaos of Brexit, Britain needs all the allies it can get.

Despite the controversies – and there have been a fair few – the 45th has been to many a highly successful president thus far. The economy has, arguably thanks to his pro-business, deregulatory approach, undergone spectacular growth, with unemployment at its lowest in 50 years, and wages beginning to increase too. European governments would be delighted to have these achievements under their belts.

His administration is eager to offer Britain a free trade deal. Trump has said that Brexit Britain should be ‘at the front of the queue’, while Barack Obama said the UK might be left ‘at the back of the queue’. Trump’s proposal is, therefore, unquestionably better for Britain – especially considering that the U.S. is Britain’s biggest export market.

Once again this all underscores that President Trump is the leader of the UK’s largest and most powerful ally. As such, it seems pretty standard he would be afforded a state visit. Strategically less important, and more controversial, undemocratically-elected, leaders have been welcomed in the same way. In any case, State visits are aimed at honoring a country, not an individual — the clue is in the title.

It should also be remembered that the main reason Trump is in Europe is to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

Whilst some leading British politicians, including the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, continue to snub the President during his visit to the UK, I would suggest that they ask themselves why President Trump has become so successful instead of dismissing him.

Perhaps they should focus on how back in 2016 he represented a desire to shake-up the system, which is why also the likes of Nigel Farage and Emmanuel Macron have been welcomed by voters. He, like they, upset the status quo and maybe others could learn from that?

The relationship with the U.S. is of vital importance to Britain. Whether some politicians or protestors like it or not, Donald Trump is its elected leader and, therefore, deserves a visit that befits the importance of his office and his country.

Nigel Green is founder and CEO of deVere Group. One of the world’s largest independent financial advisory organizations, de Vere does business in 100 countries and has more than $12 billion under advisement.