Donald Trump Accused of Breaking Royal Etiquette Twice During UK State Visit With King Charles
Former U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived in the United Kingdom this week for a highly anticipated two-day state visit. While the visit was designed to strengthen diplomatic ties and showcase the “special relationship” between the United States and the United Kingdom, it was moments of royal etiquette missteps that quickly drew headlines.
Observers noted that Trump appeared to break protocol on two separate occasions during his first day of engagements with King Charles III. Though seemingly minor gestures, these moments once again spotlighted the strict rules of royal formality and how international figures are expected to navigate them.
A Grand Arrival in London
On the evening of Tuesday, September 16, President Trump and Melania Trump touched down at London Stansted Airport. From there, they traveled to Winfield House, the U.S. ambassador’s official residence in Regent’s Park, which served as their base during the state visit.
The schedule was filled with ceremonial events designed to highlight centuries of Anglo-American cooperation. On Wednesday, September 17, the couple traveled to Windsor Castle, where they were officially received by King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Waiting to greet them as they stepped off Marine One, the presidential helicopter, were the Prince and Princess of Wales, who accompanied the couple across the grounds of the royal estate. The day’s events would culminate in a lavish state banquet at Windsor Castle, attended by dignitaries, royals, and leading political figures.
The First Breach: Walking Ahead of the King
One of the first etiquette issues arose as Trump and Charles began walking together on the castle grounds. Cameras captured the former president striding ahead of King Charles, rather than beside or behind him.
Under royal protocol, visitors are expected to walk behind the monarch, allowing the sovereign to lead the way. This practice is not just symbolic—it reflects centuries of tradition and hierarchy within the monarchy. Members of the royal family themselves follow the same rules, walking in strict order of rank and succession.
The moment sparked immediate debate online, with critics accusing Trump of showing disregard for royal custom. Defenders, however, argued that the breach was likely unintentional, stemming more from Trump’s natural body language than from deliberate disrespect.
This was not the first time Trump faced scrutiny for such a gesture. During his earlier UK visit, he had also been accused of walking in front of Queen Elizabeth II, creating a similar stir over protocol.
The Second Breach: Touching King Charles
Later in the day, as Trump shook King Charles’ hand, another moment of surprise unfolded. While extending his right hand, Trump also placed his left hand on Charles’ arm—a gesture considered unusual in royal settings.
Although Buckingham Palace has clarified that touching the King is not strictly forbidden, etiquette guidance strongly encourages visitors to limit contact to a simple handshake. Additional touches—such as an arm pat, back touch, or hug—are discouraged unless initiated by the monarch.
For royal watchers, this second breach raised eyebrows, suggesting a lack of familiarity with the nuances of royal custom.
Interestingly, Trump was not the first public figure to make this error. In 2017, singer Ed Sheeran did the same when meeting then-Prince Charles, combining a handshake with a hand on the arm. Sheeran later laughed off the incident, explaining that the King himself had not seemed concerned, instead striking up casual conversation about his music career.
Why Royal Protocol Matters
For many observers, questions arise: why do such minor gestures matter? In reality, royal etiquette serves a symbolic purpose. These rules—handshakes only, walking behind the monarch, no hugs—reinforce the monarchy’s role as a symbol of continuity, tradition, and respect.
When foreign leaders visit, these traditions are amplified. Every gesture is seen as a reflection of diplomatic respect. While King Charles himself appeared unfazed by Trump’s touches and confident stride, the optics played differently on the international stage.
Breaches of etiquette, however unintentional, can quickly become the focus of headlines and social media discussion. For some, they represent a lack of cultural sensitivity; for others, they are simply moments of human informality amid stiff ceremonial settings.
Comparisons With Past Incidents
Trump is not the first high-profile figure to make headlines for royal protocol slips:
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Michelle Obama famously placed her arm around Queen Elizabeth II during a 2009 visit. The Queen, in a rare display of warmth, reciprocated the gesture, diffusing any controversy.
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Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating earned the nickname “The Lizard of Oz” after placing his arm around the Queen in 1992.
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Ed Sheeran’s 2017 handshake incident with Charles, as noted earlier, mirrored Trump’s gesture.
These examples highlight that even seasoned diplomats, celebrities, and world leaders can falter when navigating Britain’s complex royal customs.
A Busy First Day
Beyond the etiquette mishaps, Trump’s first day in the UK was filled with symbolic engagements.
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He and Melania visited the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II at St George’s Chapel, paying respects to the late monarch.
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They attended a private lunch with members of the royal family.
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A Beating Retreat ceremony featured a flypast of U.S. and U.K. military aircraft, including the Red Arrows and F-35 fighter jets, underscoring military cooperation between the nations.
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The day concluded with a glittering state banquet at Windsor Castle, bringing together royals and political leaders for a formal evening of diplomacy.
Throughout the day, Trump projected confidence and energy, while Melania Trump drew praise for her elegant attire, continuing her reputation as a First Lady with an impeccable sense of style.
Public and Media Reaction
The etiquette breaches did not go unnoticed. Social media platforms quickly circulated images of Trump’s handshake with Charles and his moment walking ahead of the monarch. Critics viewed the gestures as emblematic of Trump’s brash style, while supporters argued they reflected his authentic personality rather than disrespect.
Mainstream media outlets provided mixed coverage. Some emphasized the protocol slip-ups as defining moments of the visit, while others focused on the broader diplomatic context, noting that King Charles appeared unbothered.
Conclusion
Donald Trump’s second UK state visit as President may have been designed to highlight unity and tradition, but it was his two apparent breaches of royal etiquette—walking ahead of King Charles and placing a hand on his arm—that drew global attention.
While Buckingham Palace downplayed the significance of the gestures, the moments underscored how closely the actions of political leaders are scrutinized during royal encounters.
For Trump, the incidents may serve as reminders of the delicate balance between American informality and British ceremonial tradition. For the public, they offered yet another glimpse into the enduring fascination with the intersection of politics, protocol, and personality on the world stage.
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