This week’s US state visit saw President Trump and First Lady Melania welcomed to the UK by the Royal Family, with a packed schedule of events including a lavish state banquet at Windsor Castle. The King and Queen enlisted the help of the Prince and Princess of Wales for the important visit, showcasing their seamless skills in diplomacy and soft power.
While the trip looks to have been a success overall, there were a few moments which caught the public by surprise as it appeared that strict royal protocol was broken.
President Trump's helicopter was late
The first incident occurred even before the helicopter transporting the President and First Lady had touched down. The Prince and Princess of Wales were dispatched to greet President Trump and Melania and to introduce them to The King. However, according to The Mirror, the helicopter was late landing – and one should not keep the monarch waiting (who is said to be a stickler for time-keeping himself).
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‘Trump's Marine One helicopter was seen hovering above the garden's lawn at about 12:10pm, about 15 minutes later than originally planned’ wrote The Mirror, adding that the scheduled time for the US pair to disembark and be greeted by Prince William and Kate was 12pm.
Walking ahead of The King
As part of his visit, President Trump was invited to join The King to inspect the Guard of Honour at Windsor Castle, which included a ceremony featuring 200 US and UK musicians. Walking down a line of soldiers, The King joked with the President to ‘watch out’ for one of the swords, with Trump smiling in return. So far, so good. However, at one point, the President can be seen walking ahead of The King, which many pointed out is considered poor royal etiquette. That being said, others have suggested that The King may have indicated for President Trump to walk ahead of him.
Not bowing or curtsying
Perhaps one of the most well known pieces of etiquette when it comes to meeting royalty, is bowing and curtsying as an initial greeting. Members of the Royal Family even do it to each other. However, it was noted that President Trump and Melania did not bow or curtsy when greeting the Prince and Princess of Wales and The King and Queen on their arrival in the UK.
While the Royal Family's website states that it isn't ‘obligatory’ to observe particular behaviours when greeting royalty, ‘many people wish to observe the traditional forms’ explaining that, ‘for men this is a neck bow (from the head only) whilst women do a small curtsy.’
Gushing compliments
While President Trump forwent a bow when greeting royalty on his arrival in the UK, he also forwent traditionally formal and more restrained greetings in favour of informal comments about the Princess of Wales’ appearance. ‘So beautiful, so beautiful,’ he is reported to have said as she and Prince William met him and his wife Melania.
At the later state banquet, President Trump shared gushing compliments to Kate again saying she was ‘so radiant and so healthy, it’s so beautiful.’
A royal kiss
On the eve of the US state visit (16 September), however, the Royal Family had a solemn event to attend, as they paid their respects to the late Katharine, Duchess of Kent, during her funeral at Westminster Cathedral. On the emotional day, Kate eschewed the usual formalities as she greeted her father-in-law, The King. Instead, she gave him a kiss on the cheek, indicating the personal and moving nature of the day.
