The much-anticipated private meeting between King Charles III and former US President Donald Trump at Windsor Castle was less a stately affair and more a spectacle of diplomatic clumsiness, with a now-infamous handshake threatening to overshadow the entire visit.
Mr. Trump, alongside his wife Melania, arrived at the historic Berkshire residence for what was billed as a brief, informal meeting. However, the occasion was quickly defined by a moment of palpable awkwardness as the former President approached the King.
A Handshake for the Headlines
As they met, Mr. Trump extended his hand while simultaneously appearing to step forward, forcing King Charles to execute a slightly ungainly backward step to avoid a collision. The resulting handshake was a brief, off-balance affair that lasted mere seconds before both men promptly turned away, leaving royal watchers and body language experts dissecting the encounter for hours.
Flag Fiasco Causes Last-Minute Scramble
Further compounding the air of disorganisation was a significant breach of royal protocol discovered just moments before the Trumps' arrival. Security teams were seen in a frantic scramble after it was realised that two large US flags, erected on the castle's famous Round Tower, were flying higher than the Union Jack.
This placement is a major breach of established flag etiquette, particularly on sovereign UK soil. Palace staff were forced into a hasty operation to lower the American flags to a position of correct precedence beneath the British standard, ensuring the protocol was restored just in time for the motorcade's appearance.
The former First Lady, Melania Trump, observed the proceedings, her presence a quiet contrast to the flurry of activity surrounding her husband's meeting. The incident at Windsor Castle is sure to be noted by diplomats and protocol experts as a telling chapter in the ongoing story of Trump's relationship with the British establishment.
