Donald Trump and Melania faced questions about royal protocol during their UK visit. Here’s what experts say about bowing, curtsying, and walking ahead of royals.
Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were at the center of a royal etiquette debate during their state visit to the UK.
On September 17, the couple arrived at Windsor Castle, where they were greeted by Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton before meeting King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Observers quickly noticed that Trump did not bow, and Melania did not curtsy when shaking hands with the royals. This sparked questions about whether the pair had broken royal protocol.
What the Royal Family Website Says
According to the Royal Family’s official website:
There are no obligatory rules when meeting a member of the Royal Family.
Men traditionally bow their heads slightly, while women often perform a small curtsy.
However, many people simply choose to shake hands in the usual way.
It’s worth noting that the “greetings” page has not been updated since Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, but the overall guidance remains unchanged.
Expert Opinion
Former royal butler Grant Harrold explained that these traditions don’t apply to foreign visitors:
“It’s important to remember that certain royal rules — including bowing and curtsying — only apply to people in the UK and the Commonwealth. Trump doesn’t actually need to bow to the King.”
Harrold also addressed another point of controversy: Trump walking slightly ahead of Prince William. He clarified this was not disrespectful:
“Contrary to reports, it’s not a breach of royal protocol to walk in front of royals. Visiting heads of state often do this because the ceremony is in their honor. It’s polite for the King to let his guest take the lead during a military inspection.”
The Bottom Line
Neither Donald Trump nor Melania broke royal protocol during the Windsor Castle greeting. Their decision to shake hands rather than bow or curtsy falls within acceptable etiquette — especially for foreign dignitaries.
In fact, protocol experts stress that the visiting leader is treated as the guest of honor, which explains why Trump walked ahead during the inspection.
