Trump breaks royal protocol by touching King Charles’s shoulder
During a White House welcome ceremony for King Charles III and Queen Camilla, President Trump placed his hand on the king’s shoulder to guide him—a gesture British media says violates royal protocol, under which physical contact should be initiated by royal family members. Body language experts suggested the move could signal political closeness.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla were received at the White House by President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump during their state visit to the United States. During the ceremony, Trump shook hands with the king, while Melania Trump greeted the queen with kisses on both cheeks. After the official photo session, as the leaders prepared to enter the White House, Trump placed his hand on King Charles’s shoulder to steer him—a gesture that British media quickly flagged as a breach of royal protocol.
Protocol breach
Under long-standing royal conventions, physical contact with members of the monarchy is expected to be initiated by the royals themselves, not by other dignitaries. While the gesture appeared warm and informal, some British commentators viewed it as a departure from diplomatic norms. Body language experts interviewed by UK outlets noted that while the touch could be interpreted as a friendly gesture, it might also carry a subtle message of political alignment between Trump and the king.
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