Donald Trump Sparks Firestorm Over Royal Protocol After Touching King Charles and Prince William at Windsor Castle
Donald Trump’s latest visit to the United Kingdom has once again sent shockwaves through the royal-watching world after footage captured the US President appearing to breach centuries-old royal protocol.
The controversial moment unfolded when Trump was seen placing his hand on King Charles’s back and later touching Prince William on the arm during official engagements at Windsor Castle. The clips quickly went viral, with many royal fans accusing the President of overstepping the invisible lines of royal etiquette.
Social media platforms lit up with heated debate. Critics argued that Trump’s actions demonstrated a lack of respect for Britain’s monarchy, while others defended him, calling the gesture a sign of warmth and camaraderie.
But according to BBC journalist Richard Irvine-Brown, the outrage may be misplaced. Speaking about the controversy, he pointed to the official royal website which states: “There are no obligatory codes of behaviour when meeting The Queen or a member of the Royal Family, but many people wish to observe the traditional forms.”
Still, traditionalists maintain that touching a senior royal, unless invited, is considered inappropriate. And for many, Trump’s brief moment walking ahead of King Charles added fuel to the debate. Historically, royals lead the way, with guests following a respectful distance behind.
Royal insiders, however, clarified that exceptions are often made at the discretion of the monarch. “Walking ahead is fine if the monarch gives their permission,” explained one expert. “We’ve seen this before, including when President Emmanuel Macron was encouraged by King Charles to step forward while inspecting the guard earlier this year.”
In Trump’s case, footage clearly showed King Charles ushering him forward, effectively giving the American president permission to walk ahead. Experts believe this was an intentional act by the monarch to ensure smooth proceedings.
The visit, which took place from September 16 to 18, 2025, saw Trump and First Lady Melania Trump receive the full measure of royal pomp. They were welcomed at Windsor Castle with military salutes, carriage rides, and a formal state banquet hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, also played a key role in the ceremony. The future king and queen consort were the first to greet the presidential couple, walking alongside them during the initial moments of the welcome.
The state banquet in particular attracted global attention, with Trump making headlines not only for his words but also for his unexpected display of courtesy toward Kate Middleton. His remark calling her “radiant and so healthy” drew smiles from the princess and sparked widespread discussion about his softer side.
This protocol incident is not the first time a US president has been caught up in a royal etiquette storm. In 2009, Michelle Obama famously placed her arm around Queen Elizabeth II’s shoulders, prompting a media frenzy at the time. Yet Buckingham Palace later downplayed the controversy, insisting the Queen herself had initiated the contact.
Observers now say Trump’s actions should be seen in the same light as a gesture of friendliness rather than a deliberate breach. “This is exactly the kind of thing that divides opinion,” one commentator noted. “But King Charles himself clearly wasn’t bothered. If he was, the atmosphere at Windsor would have been very different.”
The debate underscores just how closely royal watchers scrutinize every detail of state visits. From posture to handshakes, every gesture between foreign leaders and members of the royal family is dissected for hidden meaning.
While Trump’s detractors accused him of arrogance, his supporters argue that the President’s personal style is naturally physical and that his interaction with the royals should be interpreted as genuine warmth.
Regardless of the controversy, the Windsor Castle state visit highlighted the enduring importance of the “special relationship” between the United States and the United Kingdom. For Trump and King Charles, the pageantry was not just about tradition but also about cementing political and personal ties.
