A royal greeting! Donald Trump became the 12th U.S. president to meet Queen Elizabeth II during his visit to Windsor Castle.
The president, 73, arrived at the palace in a Range Rover with his wife, first lady Melania Trump, on Friday, July 13, at 5 p.m. local time. The 92-year-old monarch, who looked dignified in a lavender blue suit and matching hat, had a smile on her face as she greeted the duo outside the castle.
Shortly after their arrival, a guard of honor, formed of the Coldstream Guards, played the U.S. national anthem. Melania, who sported a white Dior suit, walked behind Trump and the queen as they headed inside for tea at the same castle where Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan (née Markle) wed two months earlier. Donald and Melania’s visit lasted for exactly one hour.
Buckingham Palace announced on Wednesday, July 11, that Donald and Melania, 48, were set to visit the queen, who has previously met 11 out of 12 serving U.S. presidents during her reign, including Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush and Barack Obama in 2016. The commander in chief that she never crossed paths with? Lyndon B. Johnson.
Social media users were quick to comment on Donald and Melania’s visit at Windsor Castle, with “queen” and “Queen Elizabeth” trending on Twitter shortly after their arrival.
“Can’t wait for the episode of The Crown when we find out what The Queen thinks of this President,” one user tweeted.
Another person simply wrote, “I’d love to know what the Queen is thinking.”
“The Queen could do anything she wants. Nut him. Kick him in the shin. Tell him he’s a p—k. Then escape in a trump baby hot air balloon,” a user tweeted. “You can’t arrest the Queen. You can’t arrest someone in a hot air balloon. FLAWLESS PLAN.”
Others commented on what they saw as the former reality TV star’s rudeness to the royal, as he didn’t bother to button up his suit jacket, didn’t bow his head when he met her (although royal protocol doesn’t demand it), and then proceeded to walk in front of the queen.
Body language expert Blanca Cobb, who is writing a book called Lies in Love about deception in romantic relationships, tells Us Weekly that by walking alongside or in front of the British monarch, Trump was showing “they’re both powerful world leaders.”
When the president was later seen striding ahead of the queen, Cobb told Us it suggested “that he’s not in sync with her. It could be that he doesn’t realize that he’s walking ahead. Or, perhaps, he isn’t concerned about it.”
“In my opinion, it would have made the president appear more personable and courteous if he had adjusted his stride to match hers and walk side-by-side with the queen,” she added. “Many people don’t feel like they need to adapt their behaviors to accommodate someone else. However, to be people-savvy and connect in meaningful ways then it’s a must to do so. One’s power as a person or in this case, as a world leader, is strengthened when they show that they’re attuned to others and act accordingly.”
Earlier in the day on Friday, a 20-foot balloon of an orange, diaper-clad “Trump Baby” balloon flew outside British parliament during an anti-Trump march. London Mayor Sadiq Khan approved a petition for the balloon on July 6.
While it’s unclear what Queen Elizabeth II thinks of Donald’s political views, a source exclusively told Us Weekly in February 2017 that Harry, 33, is “not a fan” of the president because he believes he is “a serious threat to human rights.”
