There had been optimism that the royal trip might help ease tensions between the UK and the US following a strained period in relations.

Rising Tensions Before the Visit

The visit came shortly after Trump launched a sharp criticism of the UK, urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer and others to “go get your own oil.”

Despite that, Trump later attempted to strike a more positive tone on Truth Social, writing: “I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect. It will be TERRIFIC!”

Social Media Backlash Over ‘Disrespectful’ Moment

However, attention quickly turned to a moment caught on camera, where Trump appeared to cut in front of Queen Camilla while she was greeting cabinet members.

The clip spread rapidly online, prompting strong reactions from viewers who criticized what they saw as poor manners.

One critic wrote: “Trump is so disrespectful. He literally cut in front of Queen Camilla while she was shaking hands. Every day is another embarrassment for our country.”

Another added: “Trump cuts in front of Queen Camilla as she is shaking hands and shakes the hands of his own cabinet members.”

A third claimed: “Trump does not want anyone to overshadow his presence!”

 

Harsh Criticism from Viewers

Some reactions were even more pointed. One social media user described the moment: “Queen Camilla steps back, & he shoves in front of her, the King attempts to shake their hands, then he gives up too.”

They went on to criticize Trump, calling him “Ignorant, classless, clueless. He has no idea how to behave, even with someone he professes to admire, it’s all about him. It always is.”

Another commenter added: “King Charles looks shocked, and amused at the same time. Kinda wish he would have grabbed Trump by the collar and dragged him out of the way.”

Comparisons to Past Incidents

This is not the first time Trump has faced criticism over royal etiquette. During a previous visit, he made headlines for walking ahead of Queen Elizabeth II, which many saw as a breach of protocol.

Referencing that moment, one X user wrote: “If you’re going to host the King and Queen, learn the protocol ffs. Once is a mistake, after that it’s a decision,” alongside an image from the earlier incident.

Others Defend Trump

Not everyone agreed with the criticism. Some users argued that the situation had been misinterpreted.

One person commented: “There’s a longer video and Charles actually called to Trump to come so just stop, he’s an absolute moron but this is false.”

Another explained: “He was walking over to greet the UK cabinet members, as the King and Queen were crossing over to greet the US cabinet, it’s what they do!”

Security Concerns and Background Context

The visit itself had already drawn attention due to security concerns, with some calling for it to be postponed or canceled following an attempted assassination targeting Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner just days earlier.

Amid all this, it has also emerged that King Charles and Donald Trump are distantly related, adding an unexpected detail to an already closely watched visit.