US President Donald Trump has kept mum on the contest for the next British prime minister, but praised the two most high-profile proponents of Britain's departure from the EU.
Trump is preparing for a state visit to Britain fraught with the possibility of diplomatic peril.
Departing on Sunday for a Monday arrival, Trump and his wife Melania will be treated to a full display of royal pageantry: a private lunch and official banquet at Buckingham Palace put on by Queen Elizabeth, tea with Prince Charles and a visit to Westminster Abbey.
The visit comes a year after his last trip to Britain, when he tested the resolve of British Prime Minister Theresa May by telling a newspaper that one of her political opponents, Boris Johnson, would make a great prime minister.
With May now on her way out, the question is how deeply will Trump immerse himself into the race to replace her.
During the trip he will also attend ceremonies in Portsmouth and Normandy marking the 75th anniversary of the World War II allies' D-Day invasion.
Trump's visit takes place amid struggles at home that have left him fuming publicly.
Some Democrats want him impeached amid accusations of obstruction of justice emanating from an investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election won by Trump.
Trump on Thursday told reporters he had great respect for Johnson and Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage and considered them friends. He declined, however, to say who he supported among the various Conservative Party candidates to succeed May as prime minister.
"Nigel Farage is a friend of mine. Boris is a friend of mine," Trump told reporters as he left the White House to deliver a speech in Colorado.
"I like them ... but I haven't thought about supporting them. Maybe it's not my business to support people, but I have a lot of respect for both of those men."
May, who announced her resignation a week ago after repeatedly failing to win approval for a deal under which Britain would leave the EU - is scheduled to leave office on June 7.
A British official, speaking in Washington to reporters on condition of anonymity, said there was no particular concern about what Trump might say or do.
"It's his business," the official said, describing a "lack of worry" among British officials.
