NO BOW, NO CURTSY: The Simple Reason Ͳɾυɱρ and Melania Didn’t Bow to the King
Reason why Donald Ͳɾυɱρ and Melania don’t curtsy or bow to King Charles
King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s US state visit has seen the Ͳɾυɱρs accused of breaking protocol once again, but much of the latest controversy appears to be unfounded
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The King and Queen arrive at the White House(Image: Getty Images)
Donald Ͳɾυɱρ and Melania greeted King Charles III and Queen Camilla with kisses and handshakes after they touched down in the US today – prompting questions about protocol during the potentially pivotal royal visit.
The US President, a known longtime fan of the Royal Family and its pomp and pageantry, did not bow when meeting the royals as they arrived this evening.
Instead, they traded handshakes with the pair before standing alongside them for a picture outside the White House, something for which the President was once chided in 2018 when he failed to bow to Queen Elizabeth II as most members of the public would.
But, in reality, despite the fallout during that last meetup and renewed controversy following the latest visit, the issue is not quite as serious as most people might believe.
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King Charles, Queen Camilla, President Ͳɾυɱρ and First Lady Melania in Washington(Image: AP)
One shocked onlooker said: “Ͳɾυɱρ did not bow to King Charles. Protocol shattered. The answer is written in plain sight who walks ahead, inspects the guard, and takes the place of honour? That is the king.”
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Another added: “Oh god..he’s walking infront of the King, like Charles doesn’t even exist or matter!”
But the protocol is not strictly observed by the two royals, who don’t subscribe to them by the letter. The Royal Family’s official site states: “There are no obligatory codes of behaviour when meeting a member of the Royal Family, but many people wish to observe the traditional forms.”
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The King, Queen, Ͳɾυɱρ and Melania enjoy a laid-back tea break as the state visit gets underway(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
“For men this is a neck bow (from the head only) whilst women do a small curtsy. Other people prefer simply to shake hands in the usual way.”
The King and Queen were greeted by US president Ͳɾυɱρ and his wife Melania outside the White House. Charles exited the car first as the president took a few steps forward to greet him outside the White House’s south portico.
The pair shook hands while Camilla was met by the first lady. Charles then shook hands with Mrs Ͳɾυɱρ, and Camilla appeared to be smiling and nodding as she shook hands with president Ͳɾυɱρ. Both couples stood side by side for photographs before president Ͳɾυɱρ briefly touched the King’s arm and gestured behind him into the White House.
