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?"
Last time Creepy Joe was over there, he broke wind in front of Queen Camilla and Princess Anne.
When I first saw that video clip, I was wondering why Melania was wearing a crown seated next to Trump. Then I realized that it wasn’t Melania (where WAS Melania seated? When I read this story I was wondering who is “Catherine”? Had to Google Catherine. Never realizing this was Kate Middleton. Since when did they start calling her Catherine? From the very beginning, every media outlet has always called her Kate Mdidleton. Also not too proud to admit I had no idea Kate and Catherine were the same name.
Her constellation of neck moles is rather symmetrical; I’ll say that for her.
Don’t leave any toot on the table around that anteater
But it was fine to call Diana beautiful
Catherine is very nice looking and she has beautiful, perfect teeth.
Who cares?
As long as Trump didn’t follow the comment with a wolf whistle, I’d say this was an innocuous comment.
I’d say Melania and Kate are equally beautiful in all possible ways.
Wonder if she felt it was cringy when FJB pointed a young girl during a presser who looked all grown the way she crossed her legs.
I know I did . . .
Wow! Trump has caused an international incident by complimenting a female for her appearance. Arrest Trump and toss him in the Tower of London for beheading.
I don’t think there can be a state visit for a Commonwealth leader to another Commonwealth country. They might get to address parliament but all this other stuff doesn’t happen in such cases. So there would be no basis for saying anyone in Canada is jealous. We have more important things to worry about like finding new trade partners and looking for the fantasy fentanyl that’s supposedly pouring across the border (nobody has said where, when, by whom, so it’s rather difficult to find the stuff, maybe it doesn’t actually exist, this is often a good rule of thumb in today’s rather distorted world).
They've smiled in a demure kind of way and that was that. She's pleased, I'm not in trouble and a good time was had by all. ;-)
| OH NOES he told a beautiful woman that she’s beautiful OH THE HORROR [sarc] * * * Yes, and I understand Kate has through cancer treatments. It's wonderful for a woman to be told she's beautiful, especially considering the cancer and probably being self-conscious about our beauty. Trump is a gentleman. And it's a fine thing to say, especially since his wife was once one of the most beautiful models in the world. |
It’s clear he saw how beautiful she still us, despite major medical ordeal that could and would drained most people, and was compelled by his good heart to express that. Three cheers for Trump!
Neither. The Canadian writer of the anti-Trump article can kiss this American ass. And "Justin Vovk, a royal historian with the Institute for the Study of the Crown in Canada" can get "vovked."
AND talk over the national anthem.
One
Big
Ass
Mistake
America
Trump called Catherine ‘beautiful’ — but was it a breach of royal protocol or just cringey?
No just our president being honest and their system being silly.
She IS beautiful, JEALOUS ONE!!
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