Donald Trump has refuted allegations of discourteous behavior towards Queen Elizabeth II, asserting that he was "her favorite president". These claims emerge from an upcoming biography of the late monarch, which suggests that the Queen "particularly disliked" Trump's conduct during their encounters.
The biography, titled "Voyage Around the Queen" by Craig Brown, alleges that the Queen found Trump "very rude" and was displeased with his tendency to look over her shoulder, seemingly searching for more engaging company. However, Trump vehemently denies these assertions, stating to the Daily Mail, "It was totally false. I have no idea who the writer is, but it was really just the opposite."
Trump's interactions with Queen Elizabeth II occurred during two visits to the United Kingdom. In 2018, he made an informal trip, during which he inspected a Guard of Honour at Windsor Castle. This centuries-old military tradition took place at the world's oldest and largest inhabited castle, a fact that underscores the historical significance of such meetings.
A year later, in 2019, Trump returned for an official state visit. This formal occasion included a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace, which typically hosts around 170 guests. During this visit, Trump reportedly broke royal protocol by placing his hand on the Queen's back, an action that goes against the long-standing tradition of not touching the monarch unless initiated by them.
Despite these reported breaches of etiquette, Trump maintains that he and the Queen "warmed to each other" during their meetings. He claims to have spent hours with Elizabeth II, who reigned for over 70 years and met 13 US presidents during her time on the throne.
Trump's affinity for the Royal Family is reportedly rooted in his Scottish heritage, inherited from his mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, who was born in Scotland in 1912. This connection to the UK adds a personal dimension to his interactions with the British monarchy.
As Trump vies for a return to the White House in the upcoming November 2024 election, his relationship with the late Queen and the Royal Family continues to be a topic of discussion. The contrasting narratives presented by the biography and Trump's own account highlight the complex nature of international diplomacy and personal interactions at the highest levels of government.
"A few weeks after president Trump's visit, for instance, she confided in one lunch guest that she found him 'very rude': she particularly disliked the way he couldn't stop looking over her shoulder, as though in search of others more interesting."
While the truth of these conflicting accounts may remain uncertain, they serve to illustrate the enduring fascination with the interactions between world leaders and the British monarchy, even as the role of the monarch in UK politics remains largely ceremonial.