Questions arose about whether First Lady Melania Trump broke royal protocol during a recent state visit to the UK. On September 17, President Donald Trump and Melania were received by Prince William and Kate Middleton at Windsor Castle, before meeting King Charles and Queen Camilla.
The controversy stemmed from the fact that neither Trump nor Melania performed traditional royal gestures such as bowing or curtsying while greeting the Royal Family. Trump did not bow to King Charles, and Melania did not curtsy, which led some to question if they were disrespecting royal protocol.
However, according to the Royal Family’s official website, there are no mandatory requirements for bowing or curtsying when meeting members of the Royal Family, particularly for foreign dignitaries. The site states that while many people choose to follow traditional forms of address (a neck bow or curtsy), it is not obligatory. For men, a head bow is customary, while women often curtsy, but shaking hands is also perfectly acceptable.
In addition, former royal butler Grant Harrold clarified that the rules of bowing and curtsying apply mainly to those within the UK and Commonwealth. He explained that Trump, as the visiting head of state, was not required to bow to King Charles. Harrold also noted that it is customary for the visiting head of state to walk ahead of royals, as seen in past state visits, such as when former President Bill Clinton walked ahead of Prince Philip. This is not a breach of protocol but instead a sign of respect for the guest.
In conclusion, both Melania and Trump’s actions seem to have been within the bounds of protocol, with no formal rules requiring them to bow or curtsy. Furthermore, the tradition of walking ahead of royals is a standard practice for the visiting leader.
