Donald Trump defended as he's criticised for 'walking in front' of King Charles during UK visit
It's not the first time it's happened...Donald Trump has been defended over his behaviour towards King Charles during today’s state visit ceremonial welcome (September 17).
The president, 79, recently arrived in the UK with his wife, First Lady Melania, for a historic second state visit.
Donald Trump enjoys ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle
On Tuesday night (September 16), President Trump and the first lady landed on British soil.
On Wednesday, the president and his wife travelled to Windsor Castle. There, they were greeted by Prince William, Princess Kate, King Charles, and Queen Camilla.
As part of a ceremonial welcome, a Guard of Honour took place within the grounds of the castle after a carriage procession.
Trump also got the opportunity to inspect the troops. In footage from the moment, King Charles extended his hand, indicating for Trump to take the lead.
Walking ahead of the king, the president inspected the Guard of Honour, formed of three regiments of the Household Division – the Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards and Scots Guards.
The president seemed fascinated as he was escorted to inspect the troops, the king following close behind.
Trump defended over walking ahead of King Charles
However, some royal fans took to X to criticise the fact that Trump had walked ahead of the king while inspecting the troops. Many questioned if he “broke protocol” by doing so.
“Shouldn’t Trump be walking with and talking to King Charles and not the guard?” one asked.
“Walking first, again,” another criticised.
“Trump is breaking protocol again walking in front of the king. Remember the first time?” a third wrote, seemingly referring to the time the president walked in front of Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to the UK.
However, what some royal fans didn’t realise is that Trump wasn’t breaking royal protocol in this instance, according to reports.
Did Trump break protocol?
As reported by the Daily Mail, palace sources reportedly insisted that Trump didn’t breach protocol as the king made a point of inviting the president to walk in front of him.
As is tradition during state visits, when the president is invited to inspect the troops, they go first, followed by the monarch. The exact same thing happened during Joe Biden’s state visit in 2023.
One person defended Trump, writing: “Charles urged him to walk in front, it is standard for visiting presidents to inspect the troops.”
Another wrote: “Chill people the king invited him to walk ahead and made it plainly obvious.”
A third added: “King Charles told him to.”
Royal Insider has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment.
Trump’s state visit mired by controversy
However, Trump’s state visit didn’t get off to the best of starts, thanks to some protestors.
Unhappy with the president’s visit, some protestors made their feelings very clear by projecting images of Trump and Jeffrey Epstein onto one of the towers of Windsor Castle.
Trump and Epstein’s friendship has hit headlines recently, thanks to an alleged birthday note the president was accused of writing for the late convicted sex offender in the early 2000s.
However, the White House has disputed the authenticity of the note.
Trump and Epstein reportedly had a friendship in the 1990s and 2000s, however they apparently had a falling out in the years before Epstein’s death in 2019.
Police made four arrests over the pictures projected onto the side of the castle.
“Yesterday (16/9), four men were arrested on suspicion of malicious communications following a public stunt in Windsor,” Thames Valley Police said.
“A 60-year-old man from East Sussex, a 36-year-old man from London, a 37-year-old man from Kent, and a 50-year-old man from London were all arrested on suspicion of malicious communications and remain in police custody.”
Read more: King Charles jokingly warns Donald Trump ‘watch the sword’ during Windsor Castle visit
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