US President Donald Trump drew attention for a breach of royal etiquette after stepping in front of Queen Camilla while she was greeting officials during a formal White House reception. The moment, captured on video, showed the queen appearing briefly surprised as Trump moved ahead of her in the receiving line.
The incident occurred when Queen Camilla and King Charles III arrived at the White House for an official visit that followed a private welcome with Trump and the first lady. On the South Lawn, a line of senior US officials had gathered to greet the royal couple. As the queen began shaking hands with figures such as Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Trump stepped forward and began greeting the same officials ahead of her.
Footage showed that the queen paused and stepped back as Trump continued the introductions, momentarily halting her own interactions. A similar interruption affected King Charles III, who was seen extending his hand to greet someone, only for Trump to reach the individual first, leaving the king briefly waiting before withdrawing and proceeding indoors with the group.
While the official guidance from the British monarchy states that there are no strictly enforced rules when meeting members of the royal family, there are well-established conventions that are generally observed. Among these is the expectation that individuals do not walk in front of or interrupt the monarch during formal proceedings, making the incident notable in terms of protocol awareness.
This is not the first time Trump has faced scrutiny over royal etiquette. During a 2018 state visit to the United Kingdom, he was criticised for walking ahead of Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle while inspecting the Guard of Honour. At that time, the late monarch appeared to adjust her position as Trump paused unexpectedly, leading to widespread commentary about the coordination of the interaction.
The earlier episode prompted criticism from royal observers, including Richard Fitzwilliams, who suggested that the interaction gave an impression of disorganisation. Despite the criticism, Trump later described Queen Elizabeth II positively, calling her an impressive figure and characterising their meeting as cordial.
The latest incident at the White House has similarly drawn attention, highlighting how even informal deviations from traditional protocol can quickly become focal points during high-profile diplomatic engagements involving the British royal family.
