Why President Trump and Melania didn't bow or curtsy to the Queen

In what may be seen as the ultimate snub to the royal family, Donald and Melania Trump didn’t curtsy to the Queen when they met her at Buckingham Palace during their official state visit.

The President and the First Lady of the United States were welcomed by the Queen, the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, who were all waiting on the steps of the palace when they arrived.

But the one detail that royal watchers picked up on was the way in which Donald and Melania greeted the monarch.

The couple didn’t bow or curtsy to the Queen as most guests would. Instead, Her Majesty offered her hand for a formal handshake.

However, while it might seem like you can’t go wrong with a simple handshake, Trump has been ridiculed for the ‘fist pump’ he gave the Queen.

It appears that instead of taking the Monarch’s hand and shaking it, he clenched it and vigorously shook it.

Mr and Mrs Trump were criticised for failing to display the traditional greeting when they met with the Queen last year, but it isn’t mandatory to bow or curtsy.

The royal family’s website states that “there are no obligatory codes of behaviour when meeting The Queen” but many people like to observe the traditional forms - a bow for men and a curtsy for women.

In another break of protocol, Trump reached over and put his hand on the Queen’s back while she was delivering a speech at the banquet dinner.

While it seems like an innocent-enough gesture, touching the Queen in any way other than a handshake is considered a serious ‘no’.

Michelle Obama was criticised for hugging the Queen when she was First Lady, while LeBron James was famously shamed for putting his arm around Kate Middleton in the US.

Following the welcome, the national anthems of the US and the UK were played, before the president and Prince Charles inspected a Guard of Honour formed by Nijmegen Company, Grenadier Guards.

The president and first lady then attended a private lunch with the Queen, Charles, Camilla, Prince Harry, Prince Andrew, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent at the palace.

The couple were then shown items from the Royal Collection relating to America.

Yesterday evening, the Trumps and the royal family attended a state banquet at Buckingham Palace, where they were joined by Kate Middleton and Prince William.

Words by Danielle Stacey

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