A newly resurfaced account has cast a fresh spotlight on one of the most startling diplomatic breaches in recent memory: the day Donald Trump kept Queen Elizabeth II waiting. The incident, which occurred during the former US President's controversial 2018 UK visit, is a masterclass in how to shatter royal protocol.
A Stunning Breach of Etiquette
As detailed in a revelatory book by a former senior aide, the Queen was left standing for a full 15 minutes in the quadrangle of Windsor Castle, awaiting the arrival of President and Melania Trump. In the meticulously orchestrated world of the monarchy, where timing is sacrosanct, such a delay is almost unthinkable.
The Queen, then 92, had already been driven to the specific spot where the official greeting and inspection of the Guard of Honour was to take place. Protocol dictates that the monarch never waits for a guest. Yet, on this day, she was left in the unprecedented position of doing just that.
The Flawed Motorcade and a Frantic Rush
The cause of the delay was a significant logistical error. President Trump's mammoth motorcade arrived at the wrong entrance to the vast castle grounds. Instead of proceeding directly to the quadrangle, the procession of vehicles entered at the state entrance, forcing the President and First Lady to undertake a last-minute, frantic car change to meet the waiting monarch.
This unforeseen scramble meant that the meticulously planned schedule, down to the second, was thrown into disarray. Royal staff and security were left in a state of high anxiety as they worked to rectify the error and get the Trumps to the correct location.
The Aftermath and a History of Protocol Clashes
The incident stands as a profound mark of disrespect towards the late monarch and the institution she represented. It contradicts the long-held image Trump sought to project of a warm and respectful relationship with the Queen.
This was not an isolated moment of friction. The visit was already under a microscope, taking place amidst massive public protests across the UK. Furthermore, it recalls another famous breach: Trump's awkward walk ahead of the Queen on the castle terrace in 2018, another serious break from etiquette where he blocked her path and failed to walk slightly behind her.
These episodes collectively paint a picture of a visiting dignitary fundamentally out of step with the subtle yet strict codes of conduct that govern royal engagements, leaving a lasting stain on his diplomatic record with a key ally.
