The King trailing behind Trump - a bit odd, no?

[fastingforweightloss]

Did something go wrong here? Surely that wasn't how that was meant to go?

Nobody is required to curtsey to any royal, no matter what their nationality.

Charles gestured for Trump to go first. I assumed it was just normal etiquette eg if I had a guest and we were visiting somewhere I'd gesture for them to go first.
I also assumed that as an American Melania wouldn't curtsey to a monarch. I'd be interested to know what the protocol is when royals from other countries make state visits to the UK, do they curtsey if they are both queens in their own right, not just wives of kings, and if wives, who curtseys to who?

No that is not how Americans show respect, they would shake hands. They do not perform the physical act of making yourself more lowly than another person. the American President and the First Lady are not subservient to a foreign monarch, nor are any other Americans. They do not have a monarchy, they have a Republic, the country is not formed on the principle of some people being more important than others by an accident of birth.

As long as they are polite, and how the same courtesy one would show when meeting any other dignitary or ordinary person, then they are behaving absolutely correctly. Americans do not bow or curtsey to anyone. It is rude to expect them to do so.

I mean, he’s actually following protocol - I don’t like the man but this is such an odd thing to pull him up on when he’s not actually done anything wrong (for once).

I think there's some kind of pecking order that they all seem to know by osmosis.

Misogynistic comment, nice.

I've had my anus removed due to cancer so I reckon I'd be safe.

I also made a comment about Trump's hair so all equal here.

It is completely correct to allow the guest to go ahead of you for a troop inspection.
Also, Melania doesn't need to curtsey - she is the wife of a Head of State, meeting another Head of State, so they are equals.
We may not like the Trumps, but they are behaving correctly on this occasion.

Loving the irony of the PPs on this thread criticising Trump for being stupid, or ignorant, or impolite, whilst being completely ignorant themselves of the protocol of the situation.

I’m always amused when reading a thread on Mn about trump. Everyone seems to hate and look down on him and his Americanism, but at the same time know where he is and what’s he’s doing or said. Which kinda makes you a fan

All Heads of State and their spouses have the same diplomatic rank. Bowing or curtseying from one to another is not strictly proper.

Also as stated above, Americans may prefer not to bow or curtsey as a matter of principle, and the Palace has always made it clear that bowing and curtseying to royalty is optional. But, one suspects, appreciated.

He’s equally important when in a neutral country or when in his own country. Not when in said King’s country.

This makes no sense. Diplomatic status doesn't change depending on which territory you're in, otherwise it would be meaningless.

It’s MN - no need to check you’re right, you can just wade in regardless 🤣

Unless it's Saudi royalty 👀

It is a discussion surely? Better informed posters have set us right so now we know, mumsnet would be a wilderness if we googled everything.

Well true, but in the instance with the Queen and also here with Charlie, he’s meant to be in front.

Well yes, it’s just amusing that so many people are confidently spouting that he’s wrong and ignorant when (in this case anyway) he’s bang on 🤣

I guess Macron also has no class!

It's almost like it's State Visit protocol

It’s just what Trump does - walks ahead of anyone and everyone - even his wife, even the late queen, who you’d think he’d respect more as a much older lady.

I don’t think a foreign head of state or their wife have to defer to our head of state. So no need to bow or curtsy. But Trump always manages to make everything look classless.

I’m fairly certain that Americans don’t bow or curtsy to royalty. They earned the right not to.

And you manage to know nothing about State Visit protocol.

Does it matter? 🤷‍♀️

So you DID vote Brexit. It's all your fault then !