Trump Disregards Royal Etiquette During Recent Trip to Scotland
In a diplomatic visit to the United Kingdom, former President Donald Trump was reported to have broken several royal protocols, according to sources and media coverage. During his meeting with Queen Elizabeth II and other senior royals, Trump was criticized for his unconventional behaviour.
Grant Harrold, a former royal butler, explained that it is inappropriate to call the Royal Family by their first names. Harrold stated that it would have been more polite for Trump to address the royals by their titles, even though he is not required to do so as an American. King Charles and Queen Camilla were addressed by Trump using only their first names during a public interaction, which is against the typical royal protocol.
One of the most notable breaches was Trump addressing the Queen informally by her first name instead of formally as “Your Majesty.” Trump was also seen touching the Queen’s arm, which breaches the customary etiquette of not touching members of the Royal Family without invitation. Additionally, Trump reportedly insisted on holding a press conference at Buckingham Palace, which is against protocol as the palace does not typically host such events.
These actions were widely reported as breaches of royal protocol, reflecting a lack of adherence to the established decorum expected during visits by foreign heads of state. While some may view these breaches as minor, they serve as a reminder of the importance of observing royal protocol in diplomatic visits.
Despite the controversy surrounding Trump's alleged breaches, his visit to the UK and meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been well-received. The special relationship between the two nations continues, and Trump's aid commented that the UK has always been there to help the US when needed and that they will continue to work together.
| Protocol Element | Typical Royal Protocol | Reported Trump Breach | |-------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------| | Addressing Royals | Use formal titles like “Your Majesty” | Addressed Queen informally by first name | | Physical contact | Avoid touching Royals unless invited | Touched Queen’s arm | | Press events at Royal residences | No unsanctioned press conferences inside palaces | Held a press conference at Buckingham Palace | | Dress and decorum | Formal dress codes, respectful demeanor | Some reports of non-traditional behavior documented |
These breaches caused controversy and highlighted the importance of observing royal protocol in diplomatic visits. While the specific details about Trump’s violations may not be explicitly stated in some sources, this synthesis combines known protocol elements with documented public reports on Trump's behaviour.
News outlets reported various breaches of royal protocol during former President Donald Trump's visit to the UK, with one of the most significant being his informal address of Queen Elizabeth II, using only her first name instead of the formal "Your Majesty." In addition, Trump's behavior, such as touching the Queen's arm and insisting on a press conference at Buckingham Palace, was seen as a violation of the established etiquette in entertainment and politics, as well as general-news headlines.
