Trump breaks royal protocol: forgets to bow, walks ahead of King Charles

Donald Trump wasted no time making headlines during his second state visit to the UK, after committing a series of royal protocol blunders in his very first moments with King Charles.

The US president, 79, and First Lady Melania arrived late to Windsor Castle on Monday, and Trump immediately raised eyebrows by failing to bow to the King and Queen. 

Royal etiquette dictates that men give a neck bow and women perform a curtsy when meeting the monarch.

Observers noted the president also got unusually tactile, repeatedly placing his hand on King Charles and Prince William after their handshakes. 

While not a strict rule, it’s widely understood that royals should not be touched beyond the initial greeting.

Adding to the faux pas, Trump once again walked ahead of the monarch during the ceremonial welcome, echoing his infamous misstep with Queen Elizabeth II in 2018.

The day’s schedule included parades, pageantry, and a glittering state banquet at Windsor, before Trump heads to Chequers for talks with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. 

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