Donald Trump receives Charles III and Camilla Parker Bowles at the White House
During an official visit to the United States, Charles III and Camilla Parker Bowles were warmly welcomed at the White House. However, Donald Trump quickly made headlines by breaking the rules of royal protocol.
The lush green lawn of the South Lawn of the White House turned into the stage for a highly important diplomatic meeting on Monday, April 27. Welcomed by Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, King Charles III and Queen Camilla, dressed in Dior, exchanged greetings and smiles under the watchful eyes of the cameras. From the first moments, a certain tension could be felt. The American President, an admirer of the British Crown, shook hands with the sovereign with confidence, while Melania Trump chose a more warm approach, kissing the King and the Queen. After a photo session punctuated by friendly exchanges, the quartet headed to the main residence for a more intimate moment, enjoying tea in the famous Green Room of the White House.
Also on the agenda: a visit to the historic beehives in the residence’s gardens, a nod to the king’s environmental commitment. It was at this moment that Donald Trump made what the Daily Mail called a “faux pas.” As they were about to return to the White House, the President of the United States “tapped” Charles III on the shoulder before placing his hand on his arm to guide him. A physical contact that, although discreet, violated an unspoken rule of royal protocol: never initiate a tactile gesture towards a member of the royal family. However, it is worth noting that Donald Trump is not the only head of state to go against this tradition: Emmanuel Macron also has not shied away from such gestures!
Donald Trump’s “friendly” approach to Charles III during his arrival at the White House
According to body language expert Judi James, interviewed by the Daily Mail, this slight deviation from protocol by Donald Trump was a sign of a friendly and privileged relationship rather than a real faux pas. She even pointed out that this was the first sign of “active friendship” from Donald Trump, who is usually more demonstrative with his guests. Faced with this familiarity, Charles III remained impassive. Known for his more “relaxed” temperament compared to his mother Elizabeth II, the sovereign showed no discomfort.
This is not the first time Donald Trump has made protocol errors. In 2018, during a state visit to the UK, he was heavily criticized for turning his back on Queen Elizabeth II and walking ahead of her during a military inspection. More recently, in September 2025, he was particularly tactile with Charles III during a meeting at Windsor Castle. Despite this new “misstep” in Washington, the atmosphere of this highly anticipated meeting remained warm. After tea, the two couples continued their visit in the gardens, stopping by a tree planted in 1991 by Elizabeth II.
After their visit to the White House, Charles III and Camilla joined the residence of the British ambassador in Washington for a garden party. One of the highlights of the British monarch’s overseas trip will be his speech to the US Congress.
