King Charles III kept his composure with Donald Trump during what could have been a ‘moment of suppressed tetchiness.’
During the ceremonial welcome for his second UK state visit, the President was invited by Charles to walk in front of him, and he could be seen periodically speaking to some of the guardsmen standing to attention.
Clearly impressed by pomp and circumstance, Trump stopped and thanked the commanding officer profusely for the honor.
And while body language expert Judi James noticed the King gave off signals of ‘impatience,’ ultimately he was able to compose himself and usher the US leader forward with grace.
She said: ‘There is one moment when Charles’s legendary impatience kicks in though.
‘Despite walking a very emphatic pace behind Trump as he inspects the troops there is a moment of suppressed tetchiness from Charles as he realizes there is a long conversation going on which might delay the schedule.
‘The King edges up to Trump, his hands clenching and unclenching in a gesture of impatience and he places a hand on Trump’s back to get him moving along again.’
The timings for the day were already behind schedule with Trump arriving after the planned time of 11.55am. The King arrived with the Queen in the state Bentley at 12.02pm
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
Body language expert Judi James claimed that the King’s clenched fist signalled his frustration
The timings for the day were already behind schedule with Trump arriving after the planned time (King Charles seen waiting ahead of the arrival)
The President eventually emerged from his Marine One helicopter with Melania – who looked effortlessly chic in her Dior ensemble – at 12.16pm, with their arrival celebrated with music.
The King’s mild frustration was also picked up by lip reader Nicola Hickling, who claimed that he muttered the words ‘go away’ to someone standing nearby during the unexpected wait time – but it is unclear to whom he was speaking.
Trump being invited to walk ahead of the King comes seven years after he was branded ‘disrespectful’ for marching ahead of the late Queen Elizabeth II as they walked past the troops.
In 2018, the Queen to pointed tentatively and asked him to move to the left.
However, Trump failed to pick up on the signal and instead came to an abrupt stop in front of her.
The Queen then abandoned her efforts to get the President to move and simply shuffled around him.
Trump continued to stand stock-still, staring at the Coldstream Guards – who were in their traditional bearskin hats.
The Queen appeared to leave him behind before she spurred him into movement again with a swift hand gesture.
The US president clearly relished the ceremonial welcome and repeatedly thanked his hosts
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
Royal etiquette states that one should never turn their back on the monarch, or walk in front of her.
‘Fascinating to see how deftly Charles dealt with the previous problem that caused ridicule for Trump in the UK when he was accused (unfairly) of walking in front of the late Queen, forcing her to pop around behind him to catch up as he inspected the guards,’ Judi continued.
‘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 then performing a very emphatic ushering ritual with one arm out and the other behind Trump’s back to steer him into place and to make no mistake of the fact that Charles is going to walk along behind.
‘Charles even performs a solicitous bow as Trump walks ahead, which is an incredibly unusual act of ‘self-lowering’ of the King’s status to raise the status of his guest.
‘There seems to have been a very emphatic decision to ensure that there will be none of the apparent mis-steps this visit that risked causing embarrassment to Trump the last time.’
