Footage has emerged of US President Donald Trump appearing to snub a handshake from outgoing UK Prime Minister Theresa May as they met, accompanied by spouses, outside 10 Downing Street.
The video shows the US president walking alongside Melania Trump and May accompanied by husband Philip.
The Conservative leader shook hands with the First Lady, while Philip did the same with Trump.
But when the two heads of state turned to face each other, they stopped short of shaking hands, instead opting for a brief exchange of words before posing for photographs.
Latest theory for Trump and May not shaking hands is that their combined hatred for minorities would've caused the electricity to trip in Downing St. pic.twitter.com/HnVdvFvQLb
— Alex McIntyre (@alexsmcintyre) June 4, 2019
As Twitter reacted to the gauche moment, some refused to read anything into this incident, claiming it’s possible the two may simply have avoided shaking hands because their respective other halves had blocked their way.
No Handshake / No Handholding this time……. "Donald Trump meets with Theresa May on second day of state visit" https://t.co/jTeL370GY9
— mike (@mike19461117) June 4, 2019
Donald Trump arrives at No10 for talks – but DOESN’T shake hands with Theresa May https://t.co/J0eOvpI8pk pic.twitter.com/u5QhCw6CBZ
— Google Trends Online (@GoogleTrendsOn1) June 4, 2019
Handshake gaffe highlights chilly relationship between Theresa May and Donald Trump — but it wasn't always like this! No contact between pair but they had met earlier https://t.co/DEgfQ8iLte pic.twitter.com/JhGQbkfII4
— I ♥ Gloucestershire (@ILoveGlosUK) June 4, 2019
Others were quick to claim the lack of handshake was on purpose.
We have a Handshakegate, I presume
— Rory 🇪🇺 (@rory20s) June 4, 2019
No handshake between Trump and Teresa May
#TrumpUKVisit pic.twitter.com/gU4TserSK8
Pictures seem to suggest no handshake between President Trump and Mrs May. PM greets Mrs Melania Trump with a handshake, while Philip May greets US President with a handshake.. then Philip May greets the Mrs Trump with a 🤝. Or did I miss something? pic.twitter.com/TkyjBnG5HR
— Rahul Joglekar (@r_joggy) June 4, 2019
Don’t blame him.. why shake hands with a loser who lies and won’t take us out of EU…
— Andy brexit party (@Andy69633570) June 4, 2019
He knows she used GCHQ to spy on him for Obama.
— GrumpySteve (@grumpysteve47) June 4, 2019
This isn’t the first time Trump's handshake has come under scrutiny during the UK visit.
Twitter users pounced on the bizarre greeting the US president had for the Queen outside Buckingham Palace yesterday, when Trump appeared to grasp only the monarch’s fingers in his fist as he was welcomed to the Palace. Photos provoked mockery on social media, where many likened it to a fist bump.
READ MORE: ‘He Makes His Own Rules’: Trump Patting Queen on the Shoulder Inflames Twitter
In another breach of protocol, Donald Trump appeared to have given Queen Elizabeth II a pat her on the shoulder when Her Majesty stood up to toast the US president.
Touching the Queen, especially in such a formal setting, is considered extremely gauche behaviour.
