Melania Trump shared her honest thoughts on King Charles and Queen Camilla's state visit with a simple three-word comment, according to a lip reader. The King and Queen arrived in Washington DC on Monday for a three-day visit to the United States, where they were met by US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania outside the White House's South Portico.
Lip reader Jeremy Freeman analysed the exchange as the pair shook hands. The King appeared to say, “Oh, it’s so nice to see you,” to which Melania responded, “So pleased to see you.” She then added, “I’m really delighted,” making her feelings clear about the state visit.
The meeting proceeded despite a shooting incident in Washington DC on Saturday night. Cole Allen, 31, was charged with attempting to assassinate the president and two firearm offences following an incident at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner. Buckingham Palace confirmed the trip would go ahead, with the King said to be “greatly relieved” that Trump was not injured.
After the handshake, Trump broke royal protocol by tapping the King on the shoulder as they walked inside. Body language expert Judi James told the Daily Mail that the gesture appeared “more political” and a sign of “active, 'special' friendship,” adding that Charles seemed more relaxed about such breaches than his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
The King is set to address the US Congress later on Tuesday, becoming the second monarch to do so after his mother in 1991. Both the King and Trump will make speeches during a dinner that evening. On Wednesday, the King will visit the 9/11 memorial to meet first responders and victims' families. The state visit concludes on Thursday when the King and Queen will say a formal goodbye to the Trumps before heading to Bermuda.
