Donald Trump’s visit to the UK in 2018 will likely be remembered as the moment the US President stepped ahead of Queen Elizabeth II, which goes against royal protocol.
Royal correspondent Rebecca English, speaking on a special Palace Confidential episode, revealed Trump seemed anxious and uncertain about the protocol for reviewing the Queen’s Guard on the Palace grounds.
Traditionally, the sovereign leads with others maintaining a respectful distance behind, but this wasn’t observed during Trump’s visit, sparking widespread criticism – though one key figure remained unbothered.
English said: “But I can tell you, of all the people who were offended by this, the one person who wasn’t offended, was the Queen.”
During the visit, CNN commentators noted Trump appeared to be “walking up and down a golf course,” suggesting he wasn’t treating the occasion with proper gravity, but English’s observations indicate he may have simply felt overwhelmed and uncertain.
Trump made his return the follow year, when he was invited for a state visit, also hosted by the Queen.
The US President is getting ready for his second state visit to the UK, which is the first of its kind, and will take place later this month, across three days — September 17 – September 19 — with King Charles and Queen Camilla hosting.
There’s been talk that Charles is willing to host a state dinner for Trump, but doesn’t want to spend all three days with him and will expect Sir Keir to pick up the slack, and entertain Trump for the other two days, according to ITV’s Richard Peston.
