Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Pool
Topics: Donald Trump, Kate Middleton, Melania Trump, Prince William, Royal Family, UK News
The UNILAD Team
Topics: Donald Trump, Kate Middleton, Melania Trump, Prince William, Royal Family, UK News
Questions have been raised about the behaviour of President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania after the pair met King Charles on their second state visit to the UK.
After stepping out of their chopper yesterday (September 17), Prince William and Kate Middleton received them on the grounds of Windsor Castle.
The POTUS and his former model wife walked with the Prince and Princess of Wales to King Charles and Queen Camilla.
When the 79-year-old Republican greeted them, he notably didn't bow, nor did Melania curtsy while shaking hands with the Royals - likewise with William and Kate.
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It led to people querying whether the Americans broke royal protocol.
Well, according to the Royal Family's official website, it states: "There are no obligatory codes of behaviour when meeting a member of the Royal Family, but many people wish to observe the traditional forms.
"For men this is a neck bow (from the head only) whilst women do a small curtsy. Other people prefer simply to shake hands in the usual way.
"On presentation to The Queen, the correct formal address is 'Your Majesty' and subsequently 'Ma'am,' pronounced with a short 'a,' as in 'jam.'"
It continued: "For male members of the Royal Family the same rules apply, with the title used in the first instance being 'Your Royal Highness' and subsequently 'Sir'.
"For other female members of the Royal Family the first address is conventionally 'Your Royal Highness' and subsequently 'Ma'am.'"
Although, I should point out that the 'greetings' page on the Royal Family's website hasn't been updated since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
Former royal butler Grant Harrold also weighed in on Trump and First Lady Melania failing to curtsy to the royals.
"It’s important to remember that certain royal rules - including bowing and curtsying - only apply to people in the UK and the Commonwealth," Harrold revealed on behalf of OLGBG, adding: "You bow to the title, not the person. So Trump doesn’t actually need to bow to the King."
While also speaking about the debate over whether Trump and Melania should have walked in front of Prince William after having been received on the grounds of Windsor Castle, Harrold added: "Contrary to reports during Trump’s first State Visit to the UK, it’s not actually a breach of royal protocol to walk in front of royals.
"If you look back at previous State Visits, you see the likes of Clinton walking in front of Prince Philip. It’s the visiting Head of State who is receiving the military welcome, so it’s not unusual for them to be front and centre."
Before adding: "In terms of etiquette generally, Trump is the guest and this inspection is for him. Therefore it’s polite for the King to let his guest walk ahead and get the full impact of this powerful piece of British military tradition."