Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump welcomed King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the White House on Monday afternoon, and it didn’t take long for the President to breach royal protocol.
After arriving on the White House’s South Lawn for a reception with the President and First Lady, the royals walked up to the couple and exchanged pleasantries.
Trump gave the King a firm handshake. The First Lady kissed the Queen on both cheeks.
Then the couples posed for some photos while exchanging remarks and smiles. But in the backdrop are fresh security concerns after a gunman broke into the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner on Saturday evening.
After the pictures were snapped, the group turned to head inside the White House’s main residence for tea in the Green Room and a tour of the historic beehives on the South Lawn.
After turning to head inside, Trump tapped the King on the shoulder in a sign of affection that broke royal protocol. The major, unwritten rule is to never initiate physical contact with a royal.
Trump, however, did not get the memo despite his extensive royal protocol prep.
He delicately touched King Charles on his right arm as he led him inside the White House doors.
‘This touch on the arm as they walked in also looked like a more political gesture,’ body language expert Judi James told the Daily Mail.
‘It was also the first real gesture of active, “special” friendship here from a rather more subdued Trump than the very effusive rituals we saw during their last meeting [in September 2025].’
President Donald Trump patted King Charles on the shoulder as he urged his majesty inside – an apparent breach of royal protocol
King Charles III and Queen Camilla are greeted by US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the White House
The couples posed for photos while sharing some remarks that could not be overheard by reporters present for the arrival
Trump gave the King a firm handshake. The First Lady kissed the Queen on both cheeks
The expert went on to say the touch would be classified as a ‘breach’ of royal protocol, but King Charles did not seem to mind.
‘Charles has always seemed more relaxed about that than his mother [Queen Elizabeth II], and Trump’s gesture was extremely tempered for Trump.
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‘Just a light, tentative and rather polite touch to steer Charles inside,’ James said.
The handshake, which lasted roughly eight seconds, appeared businesslike, the body language expert shared.
Melania instigated a more relaxed, family feel to the greetings, she said.
‘This initial greeting ritual gave the surface impression of geniality, and the cheek kisses from Melania created the impression of warmth, with an almost “family” style approach,’ James added.
Trump has a history of protocol gaffes when it comes to dealing with the British monarchs.
In July 2018, on a state visit to the UK, Trump was caught turning his back on Queen Elizabeth and marching ahead of her as they walked past the troops – in what was considered a serious breach of protocol.
Trump also put on a tactile display when meeting King Charles in London last year.
From the moment Trump arrived on that trip in September 2025, the President put on a handsy display, grabbing Charles above the elbow during their initial greeting.
After the pictures were snapped, the group turned to head inside the White House’s main residence for tea in the Green Room and a tour of the historic beehives on the South Lawn
Trump met with King Charles in London in September 2025, when he similarly placed hands on the monarch in a touch of affection
The royals and the presidential couple headed inside after the arrival for a brief walk and tea
After tea, the couples are expected to tour the White House grounds with a stop at the White House beehive and a viewing of a tree planted by the King’s mother, Queen Elizabeth, in 1991
After sitting for tea, the couples are expected to go on a brief tour of the White House grounds, including a stop at the White House’s beehive and a tree planted by the King’s mother, Queen Elizabeth, that was planted at the White House on her visit in 1991.
The King and Queen’s state visit has a jam-packed schedule.
Following the White House visit, the royals are expected to visit the British Ambassador’s residence in Washington, where they will attend a garden party.
On Tuesday, the royals are scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting, likely in the Oval Office. They will also be greeted again and review some US troops at the White House.
Later in the day, the royals are expected to address Congress in a joint session – marking the second time a British monarch has done so. Queen Elizabeth was the first during her 1991 visit.
