Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · September 17, 2025 · Entertainment

King Charles III's Graceful Diplomacy with Trump: A Lesson in Royal Composure

King Charles III seemingly showed signs of impatience when Donald Trump stopped to speak to the guard of honor - but was ultimately able to keep composed

ROYAL RUCKUS: KING CHARLES III SHOWCASES CLASS AS HE PROCEEDS WITH DONALD TRUMP IN STUNNING DISPLAY OF ROYAL ETIQUETTE

In a moment that will go down in history as a masterclass in royal protocol, King Charles III proved why he's the epitome of elegance and poise as he graciously accommodated Donald Trump during their highly anticipated UK state visit. The pomp and circumstance of the ceremony was palpable, but it was the subtle nuances of body language that truly stole the show.

As Trump, accompanied by Melania, arrived at Buckingham Palace with a whopping 21-minute delay, Charles remained unfazed, ushering his guest forward with the utmost decorum. This was no easy feat, given the history between the two leaders. We all remember the infamous incident in 2018 when Trump, oblivious to royal protocol, marched ahead of the late Queen Elizabeth II as they inspected the troops.

Body language expert Judi James claimed that the King's clenched fist signalled his frustration

The Queen's tactful efforts to discreetly guide Trump back into position were a testament to her impeccable breeding and poise, but unfortunately, it was not without its embarrassing moments. This time around, Charles proved himself to be the ultimate gentleman, navigating the situation with ease and finesse.

"King Charles III kept his composure with aplomb," observed body language expert Judi James. "Despite displaying signs of impatience, he managed to rein in his emotions and maintain a dignified demeanor throughout the ceremony."

One particularly telling moment came when Charles attempted to subtly nudge Trump forward, his hands clenched and unclenched in a clear sign of frustration as they inspected the troops together. It was a masterful display of restraint, considering the situation had already been delayed by over 20 minutes.

The timings for the day were already behind schedule with Trump arriving after the planned time (King Charles seen waiting ahead of the arrival)

Lip reader Nicola Hickling also caught wind of the King's subtle muttering of "go away" to someone standing nearby during the wait time. While it remains unclear who the recipient was, one thing is certain – Charles would have given anything for Trump to be on schedule.

Trump, however, seemed to take his time in every sense of the word. He stopped periodically to thank the commanding officer and engage with the guardsmen, no doubt impressed by the pomp and circumstance of it all. Melania, meanwhile, looked effortlessly chic in her Dior ensemble, providing a stylish foil to her husband's bombastic antics.

The timings for the day were already behind schedule, with Charles arriving at 12:02 pm alongside Queen Camilla, while Trump finally emerged from his Marine One helicopter at 12:16 pm. The music and fanfare that accompanied their arrival added an extra layer of excitement to the proceedings.

The US president clearly relished the ceremonial welcome and repeatedly thanked his hosts

As Judi astutely pointed out, this visit marked a stark contrast to the previous fiasco in 2018 when Trump was branded "disrespectful" for disregarding royal protocol. Charles's decision to walk behind Trump as he inspected the troops was a deliberate attempt to avoid any awkwardness or embarrassment.

"This time we can see Charles peering at Trump's face as he holds both his arms out to 'present' the President to the Master at Arms," Judi observed. "He then performs an incredibly unusual act of 'self-lowering' by bowing, raising the status of his guest and ensuring that there will be no repeat of the missteps from their previous encounter."

In conclusion, this visit marked a resounding victory for King Charles III's sense of protocol and etiquette. As we witnessed firsthand, he effortlessly navigated the most trying of situations with poise, dignity, and an unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest standards of royal behavior.

At one point, he told Lt Col Green: 'Thank you, thank you so much'

The King had allowed his visitor to walk ahead of him in order to keep him within protocol

Trump walked ahead of the late Queen Elizabeth II during a state visit in 2018