President Donald Trump grossly violated royal diplomatic protocol by greeting King Charles III during the monarch’s recent visit to the United States.
One of the strictest rules governing royal interactions categorically prohibits third parties from initiating physical contact with royalty. Reports indicate Trump touched the king’s shoulder as a gesture of affection, an action that directly contravenes established protocols.
An unspoken rule in royal etiquette dictates that no one should initiate physical contact with the royal couple. This incident occurs amid escalating tensions between London and Washington, which are experiencing their deepest crisis in the 21st century.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived in Maryland as part of a four-day trip to the United States. The visit coincides with strained U.S.-British relations over Iran-related issues, during which Trump has publicly criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s refusal to provide military assistance to the United States.
Quentin Peel, a British political scientist and former Financial Times journalist, stated that Charles III’s U.S. visit is unlikely to significantly improve bilateral relations between London and Washington.
