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Trump called Catherine 'beautiful' โ€” but was it a breach of royal protocol or just cringey?
CBC News ^ | Sept 17, 2025 | Natalie Stechyson

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" โ€” 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 โ€” 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?"


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To: Sicon

Oh, I suppose you didn’t fall head over heels for Tyler Robinson’s love texts to the furry, either. ๐Ÿ˜‰๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚


61 posted on 09/17/2025 7:57:58 PM PDT by kiryandil (No one in AZ that voted for Trump voted for Gallego )
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To: jerod
It was a gracious, to someone who has become painfully thin and probably suffers from extreme insecurity over it.

As Mrs. Montag said tonight at the dinner table: "you can be damn sure SHE appreciated it!"

62 posted on 09/17/2025 7:58:27 PM PDT by montag813
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To: bobrlbob

but was it a breach of royal protocol or just cringey?โ€œ

Neither and FU Natalie


63 posted on 09/17/2025 8:04:39 PM PDT by iamgalt
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To: jerod

She has had a lot of health problems in the last couple of years. Many would view it as a compliment and boost their morale but some wouldn’t. That would likely apply to anything you say to a women today.


64 posted on 09/17/2025 8:08:34 PM PDT by alternatives?
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To: jerod
Dear Natalie, in the famous words of Rhett Butler, โ€œFrnakly my dear, I don't give a damn.โ€
65 posted on 09/17/2025 8:09:26 PM PDT by Chgogal (The NYT is the mouthpiece of the violent left-wing Democrat Party.)
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To: jerod

This must be the speaking out of turn they were all a twitter over leading up to this visit. I count this as a big win if this is all the MSM has at the moment.


66 posted on 09/17/2025 8:11:23 PM PDT by xp38
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To: Nervous Tick

I’m talking about that moment in time at daybreak, that some of us have experienced (and in which we feel no pride, nay) where one finds oneself flailing around in bed wondering, “Where am I?” then you hear her voice, “What are you looking for?” and you reply “The cat” and she says, “I don’t have a cat” but you insist, “A cat **** in my mouth!” ... then Dawn’s rosy rays illuminate her face.
(melancholy muttering softly in Col. Kurz)


67 posted on 09/17/2025 8:19:42 PM PDT by tumblindice (America's founding fathers: all armed conservatives)
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To: Larry Lucido

Michelle touching the Queen caused a hullabaloo but I read for the queen it wasn’t a problem


68 posted on 09/17/2025 8:21:55 PM PDT by RummyChick (If I did not provide a link in my post none will be forthcoming )
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To: HYPOCRACY

That was funny

Some Brits are in an uproar over what Melania wore. Don’t know if it is really a breach.


69 posted on 09/17/2025 8:24:17 PM PDT by RummyChick (If I did not provide a link in my post none will be forthcoming )
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To: simpson96

Picture of ugly writer says it all.


70 posted on 09/17/2025 8:24:45 PM PDT by Veto! (Trump Is Superman)
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To: bobrlbob

Cringe worthy is the likes of Megan Markle and her idiot husband. Trump sets the tone right now, my friends. There is nothing cringe about him.


71 posted on 09/17/2025 8:26:06 PM PDT by nikos1121
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To: simpson96

Oh there’s the problem. She’s dog ugly.


72 posted on 09/17/2025 8:26:37 PM PDT by Shortstop7
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To: jerod
The Canadians still jealous Trump got TWO state visits to UK even as Canada's Prime Minister gets none?
73 posted on 09/17/2025 8:26:45 PM PDT by SmokingJoe
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To: jerod

Cringy? Ya mean like,the biden admin hirin sam briton for,their head of whatever he was head of? Or the man pretending to be a woman for,the head of health? Or the other weirdo they hired for someother high position? That kind of,cringy msm?

Gosh, pres Trump complimented someone.... IMPEACH HIM!

I swear thatmif pres Trump personally found a cure for cancer, the left would accuse him of putting doctors out of work, or if he walked on water, they would accuse him of not being able to swim!


74 posted on 09/17/2025 8:28:30 PM PDT by Bob434 (Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana)
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To: tumblindice

Wha???

I don’t understand.


75 posted on 09/17/2025 8:28:44 PM PDT by Alas Babylon! (They donโ€™t kill you because youโ€™re a Nazi, they call you a Nazi so they can kill you.--CFW)
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To: A Formerly Proud Canadian

.....”They can shove their attitude, right up their Justin Trudeau, and rotate!|

LMAO. So true and comment of the year.


76 posted on 09/17/2025 8:30:23 PM PDT by Veto! (Trump Is Superman)
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To: jerod

I’m sure she’s the type that would never be called beautiful if I have to take a guess at it.


77 posted on 09/17/2025 8:35:32 PM PDT by beaversmom
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To: jerod

CBC.../spit


78 posted on 09/17/2025 8:53:47 PM PDT by SandwicheGuy ("Man is the only pack animal that will follow an unstable leader." Cesar Chavez)
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To: simpson96

Dang the writer looks incredibly annoying.


79 posted on 09/17/2025 8:57:45 PM PDT by toddausauras (47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 )
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To: jerod
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."

Catherine survived cancer. Trump's comments were his way of saying he's glad she is doing well now.

80 posted on 09/17/2025 9:02:37 PM PDT by Tired of Taxes
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