A state dinner intended to strengthen US-UK diplomatic ties has instead become the center of a global controversy, as comments made by President Donald Trump about Princess Catherine have sparked intense criticism and reignited debates about presidential behavior on the international stage.
What was meant to be a historic celebration of the special relationship between two nations has become overshadowed by accusations of inappropriate conduct and breaches of centuries-old royal protocol that govern interactions with the British monarchy.
The Historic Setting and Unprecedented Honor
President Trump’s second state visit to the United Kingdom represents an extraordinary diplomatic milestone. Trump is currently on his second state visit to the UK – an unprecedented event for a president as most only have one. This rare honor places Trump in an exclusive category, as he becomes the first elected political leader in modern times to receive two formal state visits from the British monarchy.
The state dinner on September 17 was hosted by senior members of the royal family including King Charles, Queen Camilla, the Prince of Wales William, and Kate Middleton. The lavish event at Windsor Castle brought together 160 guests, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, technology leaders, and diplomatic officials from both nations.
The evening was designed to showcase the pomp and pageantry that Britain is renowned for, with the royal family pulling out all the stops to honor the American president. The banquet featured a specially created cocktail called the “Transatlantic Whisky Sour,” blending Johnnie Walker Black with marmalade, topped with pecan foam and garnished with a toasted marshmallow. Personal touches included serving Hennessy 1912 Cognac Grande Champagne from Trump’s mother’s birth year, acknowledging his Scottish heritage.
The Comments That Sparked Controversy
Standing beside King Charles III and reading from prepared notes, Trump delivered remarks that would quickly become the focus of international attention. Trump said: “I just wanna say that His Majesty has also raised a remarkable son in His Royal Highness Prince of Wales, really amazing. Really amazing, we’ve gotten to know you and I think you’re going to have an unbelievable success in future.”
He continued: “Melania and I are delighted to visit again with Prince William, and to see her Royal Highness Princess Catherine.” Trump then turned to Kate, saying: “So radiant and so healthy, so beautiful, it’s a really great honour, thank you.”
The reference to Catherine being “healthy” carried particular significance given her recent cancer journey. Kate publicly confirmed her diagnosis in March 2024, and in January 2025 announced the good news that after undergoing treatment she was in remission.
While supporters viewed the comments as genuine warmth and acknowledgment of Catherine’s recovery, critics saw them as inappropriate for the formal diplomatic setting and a breach of royal protocol.
The Social Media Storm Erupts
The reaction on social media was swift and largely negative, with users criticizing both the content and tone of Trump’s remarks. “He needs to quit talking about how beautiful the Princess of Wales is,” wrote one critic. “It is wildly inappropriate. Its good to see you looking healthy. That’s it full stop.”
Another user expressed their discomfort more dramatically: “Radiant, healthy, and beautiful made me cringe so hard I broke teeth.” The visceral nature of some reactions highlighted how deeply Trump’s words had affected royal watchers and protocol observers.
Social media users also noted King Charles’s reaction, with one observer writing: “Charles literally laughed at his remarks to Catherine.” Video footage of the king’s response became part of the broader discussion about how the royal family handled Trump’s unconventional approach to diplomatic etiquette.
Some critics connected Trump’s comments to broader patterns of protocol violations. “Every time he opens his mouth he makes it worse and breakers more protocol,” one user complained. “How do I know these rules and he doesn’t? Completely incompetent, look at the Kings face, he knows he [is] inexcusable.”
A Pattern of Protocol Breaches
The controversy extends beyond just the dinner speech. As soon as the president stepped off Marine One, he shook Middleton’s hand and said, “You’re beautiful, so beautiful.” This immediate focus on Catherine’s appearance set the tone for what would become a day filled with protocol questions.
Royal experts noted that it’s not necessarily against royal protocol to compliment a member of the British royal family. However, remarks are usually more along the lines of appreciating their outfit. Trump’s direct comments about Catherine’s physical appearance were seen by many as crossing traditional diplomatic boundaries.
On his previous state visit Trump was criticised when he walked in front of the late Queen Elizabeth II, a breach of royal etiquette. This established pattern of protocol violations has made his current visit’s controversies seem less like isolated incidents and more like a consistent approach to royal interactions.
Additional protocol concerns emerged throughout the day. Donald Trump was criticized on social media for tucking in Princess Kate’s chair during the State Banquet at Windsor Castle. As Kate sat down, there was a man behind ready to tuck in her chair but Trump also leaned over to help. A clip of this moment went viral, viewed 217,000 times, with critics posting messages like “Ew, don’t touch her chair.”
The Harry Speculation and Royal Dynamics
Many took to social media to criticise Trump’s tone in the speech, which some also took as a subtle dig at Prince Harry by only mentioning ‘one son’. This interpretation added another layer to the controversy, suggesting that Trump’s comments may have carried diplomatic undertones regarding the royal family’s internal dynamics.
The speculation about Prince Harry references highlighted how every word of Trump’s speech was being analyzed for deeper meaning. Royal commentators noted that the careful phrasing in diplomatic speeches is typically designed to avoid any appearance of taking sides in family matters or making political statements about royal relationships.
Body Language and Physical Interactions Under Scrutiny
Beyond verbal comments, Trump’s physical interactions with the royal family drew criticism. After footage of Trump’s initial meeting with Kate was shared on social media, a number of onlookers had their eyes drawn to the pair’s handshake. Trump appeared to shake Kate’s hand with some serious vigour.
In the clip, the American instigates the greeting, going on to pull the mother-of-three somewhat towards him, either intentionally or inadvertently breaking major protocol. Royal protocol typically calls for gentle, respectful greetings, and the vigorous nature of Trump’s handshake style, which he’s known for in American politics, was seen as inappropriate for royal interactions.
Traditional royal greetings involve more formal approaches. Royal fans weighed in on the greeting in the comments, noting that it’s customary to give royal family members a slight bow or curtsy instead of shaking hands. Comments included questions like “Why didn’t the President bow in front of the king?” and observations about Trump’s tendency to pull people toward him during handshakes.
International Diplomatic Implications
The controversy has raised broader questions about how American presidents should conduct themselves during state visits. Trump’s unconventional style, which plays well with his domestic political base, has consistently created tension in formal diplomatic settings where centuries of protocol govern interactions.
British officials have historically been diplomatic in their public responses to Trump’s protocol breaches, but private reactions have often been less forgiving. The challenge for UK diplomats is balancing the need to maintain the special relationship with America while preserving the dignity and traditions of the monarchy.
The timing of these controversies is particularly sensitive given ongoing negotiations between the US and UK on trade deals and international policy coordination. British officials had hoped that the pomp and pageantry of the state visit would help smooth diplomatic relations and create a positive atmosphere for policy discussions.
Defending the President’s Approach
Not all reactions to Trump’s behavior have been negative. Supporters argue that his warmth and direct communication style represent authentic American values and that his comments about Catherine’s health showed genuine human concern for her cancer recovery.
Some commentators suggested that Trump’s focus on Catherine’s appearance and health, while perhaps not traditionally diplomatic, reflected sincere admiration and relief at her recovery from cancer. From this perspective, his comments were seen as heartfelt rather than inappropriate.
American supporters of the president have also argued that rigid royal protocol is outdated and that Trump’s more casual approach brings a refreshing informality to stuffy diplomatic traditions. This view sees his behavior as democratically American rather than disrespectfully inappropriate.
The Royal Family’s Professional Response
Despite the social media storm, the royal family maintained their characteristic professional composure throughout the visit. Catherine was seen smiling and engaging positively with both Trump and First Lady Melania throughout the various events, demonstrating the royal family’s ability to navigate challenging diplomatic situations with grace.
The seating arrangement at the state dinner placed Trump between King Charles and Princess Catherine, a position of high honor that demonstrated the royal family’s commitment to the diplomatic relationship despite any personal reservations about protocol breaches.
King Charles’s response to Trump’s speech, while noted by critics as potentially dismissive, could equally be interpreted as diplomatic politeness in the face of unconventional remarks. The king’s ability to maintain ceremonial dignity while accommodating Trump’s style showcased the monarchy’s diplomatic skills.
Cultural Differences and Diplomatic Challenges
The controversy highlights fundamental differences between American and British approaches to formality and protocol. American political culture often rewards directness and personal warmth, while British royal protocol emphasizes restraint and formal courtesy.
These cultural differences create ongoing challenges for US-UK diplomatic relations, particularly when American presidents bring their domestic communication styles to international settings. The balance between authentic expression and diplomatic appropriateness remains a constant tension in international relations.
For the British royal family, hosting Trump represents a unique challenge in maintaining their traditional role while adapting to different cultural approaches to diplomacy. Their success in managing these visits while preserving royal dignity demonstrates their continued relevance in modern international relations.
Global Media Coverage and Analysis
International media coverage of the controversy has varied significantly based on national perspectives and political orientations. British media has generally been more critical of protocol breaches, while American conservative outlets have been more supportive of Trump’s approach.
The global nature of the coverage demonstrates how royal protocol and American presidential behavior have become subjects of international interest and debate. Social media has amplified these discussions, allowing millions of people worldwide to weigh in on diplomatic etiquette and appropriate presidential behavior.
Royal commentators and protocol experts have used the controversy to educate broader audiences about the historical significance of royal protocol and why these traditions matter in diplomatic contexts.
Looking Forward: Diplomatic Relations and Future Visits
Despite the controversy surrounding Trump’s comments and behavior, the state visit achieved its primary diplomatic objectives. Trade discussions continued as planned, and both nations reaffirmed their commitment to the special relationship that has defined US-UK relations for decades.
The question remains whether future American presidents will learn from these protocol controversies or whether the informal American approach to diplomacy will continue to clash with traditional royal expectations. The evolution of diplomatic protocol in an increasingly informal world remains an ongoing challenge for international relations.
For the royal family, managing Trump’s unconventional approach while maintaining their own dignity and traditions has demonstrated their continued ability to adapt to changing diplomatic realities while preserving essential elements of royal protocol.
The Trump-Catherine interaction controversy ultimately reflects broader questions about tradition versus modernity, formality versus authenticity, and the challenge of maintaining diplomatic relationships across cultural and stylistic differences. As international relations continue to evolve, the balance between respect for tradition and accommodation of different approaches will remain a central diplomatic challenge.
The lasting impact of this controversy may be less about Trump’s specific comments and more about how it illuminates the ongoing tension between different cultural approaches to diplomacy and the challenge of maintaining international relationships in an era of changing expectations and communication styles.
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