Queen Elizabeth: Neither Donald Trump Nor Melania Have To Bow

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

As we learned this week, United States President Donald Trump and his wife Melania will return to Buckingham Palace in early December and will have a new meeting with Queen Elizabeth.

Among the many controversies his last trip sparked, one was the fact that Trump shook the Queen's hand instead of respectfully bowing his head in greeting. From there, there was much debate about whether that gesture was correct or not, whether it was right or wrong.

What is acceptable and what is not around the protocol that one has to adopt when being face to face with Queen Elizabeth?

This is what the official website of the royal family indicates: " There is no type of obligatory protocol when greeting the queen or any other member of the royal family, although many people like to respect traditional ways in this regard."

Traditionally for men, bow your head briefly, and for women, bow slightly. But the website adds: "Other people simply prefer to shake hands as normal."

Both Barack Obama and his wife Michelle did the same by greeting Queen Elizabeth when they were at Windsor Castle in 2016.

Melania and Donald Trump will return to the old continent from December 2-4 for a meeting with NATO leaders.

It is not yet known for sure if any Trump son will accompany them on this trip or if other royalty members will attend the reception at the palace.