King Charles III and Queen Camilla were welcomed to Washington, D.C. with a full ceremonial reception, including a 21-gun salute after their arrival.
During the visit, Donald Trump and Melania Trump hosted the royal couple at the White House, where they took part in several engagements. These included an informal tea, a private meeting between Trump and the King focused on UK–US relations, and an educational event led by Melania and Camilla for local students.
Later, the four attended a formal state banquet, and King Charles delivered a notable address to Congress.
However, a photo from the initial welcome ceremony quickly went viral online. In the image, Trump appeared to place his hand on Melania’s lower back in a way some critics described as inappropriate, especially given the presence of the royal couple. The moment sparked debate across social media, with some calling it embarrassing and lacking decorum for such a formal occasion.
Others, though, defended the gesture, arguing it was simply a normal display of affection between spouses and not something worth criticizing.
This wasn’t the only moment that drew attention during the visit. Trump was also criticized for his handshake with King Charles, which some viewed as overly forceful, as well as for placing a hand on the monarch’s arm in a way that was seen by some as breaking royal protocol.
The state dinner that followed featured an elaborate menu, including a palm heart salad, herb ravioli, Dover sole as the main course, and a chocolate gâteau dessert shaped like a beehive, accompanied by a curated selection of wines celebrating the ties between the United States and the United Kingdom.
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