Donald Trump immediately broke major royal protocol with King Charles

After all these years, US leader Donald Trump still can't get his head around royal protocol.

The President and his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, entertained Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the White House yesterday afternoon, and judging by the pictures from their jovial meeting, everyone got on famously.

However, initiating physical contact with a member of the royal family is one of many unwritten rules when dealing with monarchs, so low and behold, it didn't take long for that to be compromised.

According to The Daily Mail, as the quartet turned towards the iconic residence's entryway, where they were due to enjoy tea in the Green Room, Trump tapped Charles on the shoulder as a way of leading his direction.

"This touch on the arm as they walked in also looked like a more political gesture," body language expert Judi James told the publication.

"It was also the first real gesture of active, 'special' friendship here from a rather more subdued Trump than the very effusive rituals we saw during their last meeting [in September 2025]."

SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images

The expert claimed that this subtle contact 'breached' royal protocol, although the UK ruler didn't seem fazed by it.

"Charles has always seemed more relaxed about that than his mother [Queen Elizabeth II], and Trump's gesture was extremely tempered for Trump. Just a light, tentative and rather polite touch to steer Charles inside.

"Melania instigated a more relaxed, family feel to the greetings," Judi further determined. "This initial greeting ritual gave the surface impression of geniality, and the cheek kisses from Melania created the impression of warmth, with an almost 'family' style approach."

King Charles' subtle power move at the White House

Meanwhile, prior to the POTUS' non-recommended manouvere, it was the King who was actually making the power moves.

Footage from the pair's encounter showed the Brit enforcing his will on Trump, who usually - it's become his trademark somewhat - likes to pull the other person towards him during the first handshake.

But when their fingers locked, the visitor's grip was too firm and would not yield.

One online commenter suggested this was an 'awkward power handshake', which didn't allow the US leader to dominate.

The King is set to address Congress during his visit. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

President Trump told off by King Charles within minutes

Soon after the handshake, Charles is being accused by a lip reader of 'telling off' his host on the White House lawn.

Trump was making small talk with the King as they posed for photos in the sunshine, and lip reader Nicola Hickling told the Daily Mail that it wasn't the lightest of conversations.

She claimed Trump appeared to say: "This shooting..." in reference to last weekend's gun attack.

The King seemed to respond: "I'd rather not stand about here too long. I feel I shouldn't be here." And Trump is then said to have asked if the royal was OK as he added: "It's not a good thing."

The President apparently continued: "I wasn't prepared but now I am prepared."

Trump then appeared to change the subject, as he explained he had been in contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "He wants war," he is said to have remarked, while the Brit replied: "We will discuss that later."