Real reason why Melania Trump didn’t curtsy to royal family during state visit
President Trump and First Lady Melania are greeted by Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales pic.twitter.com/fF5pDPHYcV
— FLOTUS Report (@MELANIAJTRUMP) September 17, 2025
WINDSOR, UK: President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump made headlines during their state visit to the United Kingdom, sparking conversation over royal protocol and mannerisms.
Melania chose not to curtsy while greeting King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Trump also skipped the bow during the ceremonial greeting. Did he and Melania actually break any rules?
Donald Trump and Melania's curious case of no bow or curtsy
During the greeting session, Melania skipped the customary curtsy, and President Trump did not bow his head either. Instead, both shook hands with the King and Queen, as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales.
This prompted social media chatter and speculation about whether royal etiquette had been breached. Not everyone is happy with the behavior.
"Melania Trump made a well-known protocol mistake. No respect!" one user wrote.
Melania Trump made a well-known protocol mistake. No respect! A strick ban exists against touching The Queen, this divine-right being, except for sharing the hand she offers you!
— Catherine 🍀 🇫🇷 Paris (@What_s_Up_You) September 17, 2025
The Queen seems to brush the gesture away with her arm. She doesn’t touch Melania Trump. #Trump… pic.twitter.com/2FGZwWoqp8
"Did anyone notice?" asked another user.
Did anyone else notice Melania didn't curtesy to any of the royals? 😉
— XRP NESARA-GESARA QFS 3.0 (@NesaraGesara0) September 17, 2025
Does this violate official protocol? The answer is no.
According to the royal family’s official website, "There are no obligatory codes of behaviour when meeting a member of the Royal Family, but many people wish to observe the traditional forms."
Royal etiquette notes that “for men, this is a neck bow (from the head only), whilst women perform a small curtsy. Others prefer simply to shake hands in the usual way.”
Why did Melania Trump skip customary curtsy?
This isn’t the first time the president and first lady have taken a more relaxed approach.
Melania’s choice reflects the flexible approach often allowed for leaders when meeting the royal family.
As per People, during Trump’s first state visit in 2018, he shook hands with Queen Elizabeth II instead of bowing and even placed his hand on her back at the state banquet.
In 2019, during his first official state visit, Trump placed his hand on Queen Elizabeth II’s back at the state banquet.
They made right FOOLS OF THEMSELVES BOTH OF THEM. No bowing by Trump and no curtsy from Melania - just fucking handshakes!
— Mari Mordal (@M_Mothervalley) July 14, 2018
Then he doesn't go behind the queen, makes her having to go round him and when she gets on his side he doesn't notice and carries on.
NO CLASS AT ALL. 👇 pic.twitter.com/Kv5ZOwYtqw
Trump and Melania arrived in the UK on September 17, where Prince William and the Princess of Wales welcomed them for their second state visit.
Together, they walked to Windsor Castle to meet King Charles and Queen Camilla for a formal royal welcome.
After their conversation with the Royals, both the US and British national anthems were played during the reception.
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