'Unqualified' Ivanka Trump creates stir after stepping in for father at G20 summit

Ivanka Trump has caused outrage after stepping in for her father at the G20 world leaders' summit in Hamburg this weekend.

The 35-year-old first daughter sat at the back of the room during Saturday's (8 July) working group on African Migration as President Donald Trump took his seat, but when he left for bi-lateral talks, Ivanka assumed his place.

A photo from the meeting shared on Twitter showed Ivanka sitting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and British Prime Minister Theresa May with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also in the vicinity.

One official at the meeting told Bloomberg that she has taken Trump's place at the table on at least two occasions on Saturday, but did not speak either time.

Although Ivanka serves as an unpaid adviser and assistant to the president, many were furious at her joining the table.

Other world leaders were also occasionally replaced by staff as they participated in other meetings, but many felt that a family member – despite the unofficial role – was a step too far.

Charles Blow, a New York Times columnist, wrote on Twitter: "Why the hell is Ivanka Trump sitting in for daddy at G20 meetings? What are her qualifications? Who voted for her?"

Brian Klaas, a fellow at the London School of Economics' government department, wrote: "Ivanka Trump, unelected, unqualified, daughter-in-chief is representing the US at the G20 summit next to May, Xi, Merkel."