King Charles and Queen Camilla have been welcomed to the White Home by US President Donald Trump and First Woman Melania Trump on the primary day of their state go to.
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 27: U.S. President Donald Trump and first woman Melania Trump greet Queen Camilla and King Charles III on the South Garden of the White Home for tea on day considered one of their State Go to to the US of America, on April 27, 2026 in Washington, DC. King Charles III and Queen Camilla will go to the nation’s capital, New York Metropolis, and Virginia throughout the journey organized to have a good time the US of America’s 250th anniversary of its independence. (Photograph by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Photographs) (Picture: Getty Photographs)
Donald Trump and First Woman Melania Trump welcomed King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the White Home on Monday for the opening day of their state go to.
It wasn’t lengthy earlier than the US president breached royal protocol.
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Following the couple’s arrival within the US, they made their strategy to the White Home’s South Garden for a reception, the place they have been met by the President and photographed collectively.
Donald Trump provided the King a agency handshake whereas the First Woman kissed the Queen on each cheeks – the couple then stood for pictures as they exchanged pleasantries.
As soon as the photographs had been taken, they turned to proceed contained in the White Home’s essential residence for a backyard get together. As Trump pivoted to make his method ahead, he tapped the King on the shoulder.
This gesture breached royal protocol, violating the unwritten rule towards initiating bodily contact.
Whereas the motion may very well be interpreted as an indication of heat, physique language knowledgeable Judi James instructed the Each day Mail: “This contact on the arm as they walked in additionally seemed like a extra political gesture.
“It was additionally the primary actual gesture of lively, ‘particular’ friendship right here from a moderately extra subdued Trump than the very effusive rituals we noticed throughout their final assembly [in September 2025].”
James famous that the King appeared unfazed by this breach of protocol.
“Charles has all the time appeared extra relaxed about that than his mom [Queen Elizabeth II], and Trump’s gesture was extraordinarily tempered for Trump.
King Charles is on a state go to to the US (Picture: Getty)
“Only a mild, tentative and moderately well mannered contact to steer Charles inside,” James added.
She famous that the handshake exchanged between the pair lasted roughly eight seconds and appeared businesslike, whereas Melania contributed a extra casual environment to the reception.
“This preliminary greeting ritual gave the floor impression of geniality, and the cheek kisses from Melania created the impression of heat, with an nearly “household” type strategy,” James stated.
This marks not the primary event Trump has been noticed breaching royal protocol with British monarchs.
Throughout a state go to to the UK in July 2018, he was photographed turning his again on the Queen and striding forward of her as they walked previous the troops.
He additionally appeared to contravene protocol throughout his go to to London final 12 months, when he grasped Charles above the elbow.
U.S. President Trump’s State Go to To UK – Day One (Picture: WPA Pool)
The King and Queen’s state go to follows shortly after a safety incident on the White Home Correspondents’ Dinner, throughout which a suspect discharged gunshots in an alleged assassination try.
However this, the go to has proceeded and the couple face a packed itinerary.
On Tuesday, Charles will tackle Congress, representing the second event a British monarch has accomplished so, the primary being his mom in 1991.
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