Posted on 09/17/2025 6:46:30 PM PDT by jerod
U.S. president kicked off his historic 2nd state visit to Britain at Windsor Castle
While observers weren't necessarily expecting a bow or curtsy, they may not have predicted a greeting this informal, either.
U.S. President Donald Trump's historic second state visit to Britain began Wednesday with a stop at Windsor Castle, where he was met by Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales.
Trump stepped out of his helicopter, raised his hand in a salute and then shook William's hand. Then, upon greeting Catherine, Trump shook her hand and said, "You're beautiful. So beautiful."
Catherine didn't appear to react one way or another. She reached out to shake first lady Melania Trump's hand, and the foursome walked across the lawn toward King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
There are no obligatory codes of conduct when meeting a member of the Royal Family, notes the official royal website, adding that many people do still wish to "observe the traditional forms" — which for men, is a neck bow.
So technically, Trump didn't breach royal protocol by commenting on Catherine's appearance, explained Justin Vovk, a royal historian with the Institute for the Study of the Crown in Canada.
"But it would, in my opinion, sort of transgress the unofficial rules of personal diplomacy," Vovk told CBC News.
Later Wednesday, at the formal state banquet, Trump mentioned Catherine's appearance again, this time in his official speech that was broadcast around the world.
"Melania and I are delighted to visit again with Prince William and to see Her Royal Highness Princess Catherine so radiant, and so healthy, and so beautiful," he said, reading solemnly off written notes, Catherine sitting to his right.
Trump has a history of making comments such as these in public, formal settings, likely thinking he comes off as charming or that he's breaking the ice, Vovk said.
But it's unprofessional, he added, particularly when meeting members of the Royal Family — who are used to getting comments about their appearance from the general public, but not one on one, and especially not during a formal state visit when the monarchy's role is to put its best foot forward.
"It was very awkward. There are so many levels of cringe to this," he said. "How do you respond to something like that in a way that will not make the situation more awkward or will not come off as a rebuff of the compliment?"
GROW UP, GET OVER IT.
Had it been branDUHn, he woulda been sniffing and trying to cop a feel. So, PDJT not creepy.
The author, who has a problem with someone telling a woman she is beautiful.
Don’t know how telling a beautiful woman that she’s beautiful can be thought offensive in any way. I’ve been told they like that sort of thing.
Last time I checked, “Beautiful” was a compliment.
If Trump had said nothing, it would be reported that that he snubbed her by ignoring her and only offering a stiff neck-bow. In other words, the writer would have found something to make hay about in anything he said or did.
Good heavens! Trump has complimented a lady! Impeach now!
IMO, Princess Kate is one of the CLASSIEST women on Earth.
Yes. He’s supposed to hand them DVD’s of himself...
Trump is the King of Canada, so he decides protocol. Charles is the King of tampons so he decides Tim Walz protocol.
Trump says “beautiful” a lot.
I trust Trump’s judgment of physical beauty and that’s why he called Rosie O’Donnell a pig.
My wife is a Royal following Canadian, and she sees no problem with it.
TRANSLATION: “Orange Man Bad”
He can burp and put his feet on the furniture if he wants to. The royals are just neighbors over the fence.
sort of transgress the unofficial rules of personal diplomacy
Well, if you’re going to transgress any rules, might as well be the unofficial rules of personal diplomacy.
Protocol is for subjects of that Monarch. They owe their deference and respect to an American President.
Time foreign people worried about OUR protocol and worry about not offending us!
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