Royal protocol explained as Donald Trump breaks major etiquette in first moments of meeting with King Charles
Donald Trump raised eyebrows after ‘breaking’ royal etiquette just seconds after coming face-to-face with King Charles III at Windsor Castle.
On Tuesday (16 September), the US president and First Lady Melania Trump landed at London Stansted Airport ahead of their history-making second state visit.
While the British aristocracy failed to roll out a red carpet for the 79-year-old, Trump today (17 September) has enjoyed a visit to Windsor Castle with four senior members of the royal family and has a traditional state dinner to look forward to this evening.
Tomorrow, he will meet with Sir Keir Starmer at Chequers, view the Sir Winston Churchill archives, and attend a business reception hosted by the Chancellor at Chequers.
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However, the two-day trip appears to have already suffered some bumps.
MAGA critics seem to be convinced that a ‘body double’ has been hired to replace 55-year-old Melania.
Moreover, the Republican president has allegedly broken major royal etiquette with both Charles and Catherine, Princess of Wales.
Royal protocol for meeting the King and Queen
Buckingham Palace says that there are ‘no obligatory codes of behaviour’ when meeting the King and Queen.
However, it has stipulated three ways that men and women alike can formally greet Charles and Queen Camilla.
Men should bow their heads, while women can do a small curtsy. If you are uncomfortable with either, then a firm handshake instigated by either Charles or Camilla will do the trick.
On presentation to the monarchs, you should first address them each as ‘Your Majesty’.
After that, you’re free to call the monarch ‘Sir’ and his wife should be called ‘Ma’am’.
Trump breaks major greeting etiquette
When Trump met with Charles at Windsor Castle today, he decided not to bow his head.
Instead, he brokered a handshake and continued to place his hand on the King’s arm.
While Buckingham Palace doesn’t say you’re not allowed to touch the royals, it’s common courtesy that you don’t go beyond the handshake if one is offered to you.
Explaining what a handshake with the monarch should look like, Grant Harrold, Charles' former butler, told Tyla: “It’s just one-handed, don’t grab them or pull them in for a bear hug.
“Don’t overpower them; it’s meant to be mutual respect. It should only go on for a couple of seconds, and there should be good eye contact.”
Another handshake incident took place when Trump and Melania touched down in the grounds of Windsor Castle.
The pair were met by William, Prince of Wales, and his wife Kate Middleton, and it appeared he instigated a handshake with the mother-of-three.
This greeting seemed to show the American 'pulling' her somewhat towards him.
Melania also chose not to curtsy, greeting William, Kate, Charles, and Camilla with a handshake instead.
Trump walks in front of King to ‘inspect’ Royal Guard
After meeting the four royal family members, Trump and Melania took part in a carriage procession that brought them to Windsor Castle.
The US president and the King then went off together to inspect the Royal Guard.
During a tour, Trump was seen walking several steps ahead of the monarch, electing to chat to a military man instead of the King himself.
In the royal order of precedence, no one outranks Charles, so nobody walks in front of him.
However, as reported by Pop Sugar, this rule can be subverted when it comes to peers of the crown, including heads of state from other countries who are not affiliated with the British Commonwealth.
While Trump isn’t bound to let the King walk in front of him, it would have been common courtesy to let him go first.
However, royal commentator Rafe Heydel-Mankoo told CBC News that because the US president is inspecting the Guard, he’s allowed to walk first.
“Once again, President Trump is taking a lead on His Majesty, and that’s because the King is accompanying the president,” he said.
“It is the president who is doing the inspecting and the King is accompanying him.”
Referring to Trump’s first visit and how he famously walked in front of the late Queen Elizabeth II, Heydel-Mankoo added: “Of course, President Trump did … perhaps block Her Late Majesty a bit too much on the last visit, but I think here he’s been I suppose well-advised that he’s keeping just the right sort of space that he should be.”
Topics: Donald Trump, King Charles III, Kate Middleton, Royal Family, Politics, US News, UK News
Ella Scott