President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were welcomed to Windsor Castle on Wednesday for their second official state visit to Britain, where protocol and tradition once again came under close scrutiny.
The Trumps were received by the Prince and Princess of Wales after landing aboard Marine One on the castle grounds before being greeted formally by King Charles and Queen Camilla.
The president and first lady shook hands with the monarchs instead of bowing or curtsying, sparking debate among observers over whether the gesture violated royal etiquette.
According to the royal family’s official website, there are no mandatory forms of greeting.
While men may bow their heads and women may curtsy, the site notes that many visitors simply shake hands.
The White House made no comment on the greetings, though Trump faced similar attention during past encounters with Queen Elizabeth II, including when he shook her hand in 2018 and placed his hand on her back at a banquet in 2019.
The ceremonial welcome included a carriage procession escorted by the Household Cavalry and musical performances by military bands from the Royal Marines, the Army, and the Royal Air Force.
When the U.S. national anthem was played, Trump raised a military salute. Under U.S. law, however, only service members or veterans are permitted to salute the flag, while civilians are expected to stand at attention with a hand over the heart.
The visit continues with a state banquet hosted by the King and Queen on Wednesday evening and a meeting between Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, the prime minister’s country residence, on Thursday.
