Featured Image Credit: Sky News
Topics: Donald Trump, Royal Family, King Charles III, News, UK News
Niamh Shackleton
Topics: Donald Trump, Royal Family, King Charles III, News, UK News
Donald Trump has sparked outrage for breaking major royal protocol just hours into his state visit to the UK.
President Trump and First Lady Melania are currently in Windsor, UK, where they were greeted by the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The Trumps and the Waleses walked side by side following their arrival – with William and Trump chatting in the middle of the group, while the US president held his wife, Melania’s, hand.
William was heard to say, 'This is my father,' to Trump as they approached the King, and Charles gestured with a small wave of his hand.
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Trump shook hands with the King and the pair chatted enthusiastically together, with the president also placing his hand on Charles’ arm as they shook hands.
Then they were met by a guard of honour as the Trumps and the King and Queen stood on a red-carpeted raised platform, before the two men carried out a military inspection.
It was this moment that raised eyebrows as the POTUS marched ahead of the King, aimlessly chatting to one of the guards.
However, it is royal etiquette for people to walk behind King Charles. In the Royal Family specifically, they walk behind the King according to their rank and the order of succession.
Noting Trump's faux pas, somebody said on Twitter alongside a snap of the president and King Charles: "Trump walking infront of the King. The man is a disgrace and has no respect for the King. Never did for the late Queen either....."
"Trump is a narcissist, he doesn't think anyone else can be more important than him," someone raged in the comments.
Another person tweeted: "Donald trump leading the British army and walking infront of the king says it all."
"He’s gone and walked in front of the monarch again…," a different person penned alongside a face-palm emoji.
Someone else argued: "Trump walking in front of King. This is an insult to our King."
Trump and Melania are in the UK until Thursday evening (September 18), during which time they'll have no public-facing engagements as security is paramount for the 47th US president – who has faced two assassination attempts in just over a year – in the wake of the killing of his ally Charlie Kirk.
Other elements of the royal-focused first day include a visit to the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II in St George’s Chapel, lunch with the royal family, a special Beating Retreat ceremony with a flypast of UK and US F-35 fighter jets and the Red Arrows, and in the evening, to top off the royal celebrations, a lavish state banquet.