Donald Trump has broken protocol during a meeting with the Queen by appearing to pat her on the shoulder when Her Majesty stood up with a glass of Windsor Great Park sparkling English wine to toast the US President.
According to UK royal protocol, touching the Queen, especially in such a formal setting, is considered extremely gauche behaviour.
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Notably, Her Majesty did not react to Trump’s gesture and continued to play hostess as if nothing has taken place. However, this was not the case with many netizens, who quickly posted sarcastic tweets to quip at what they described as Trump’s “inappropriate” and “mannerless” behaviour.
Are you supposed to pat the Queen, Mr. President? pic.twitter.com/9UyNEc2ZuA
— Khaled Faisal (@Du08Khaled) 4 июня 2019 г.
As an American, damn you trump. Don’t touch my queen!
— tabithamerry (@tabithamerry) 4 июня 2019 г.
That's our Trumpster, breaking rules all over the place. Who really gives a………….(please yourself as to what word you want to use).
— Gerald Parsons (@gw_parsons) 3 июня 2019 г.
— William Wood 🇺🇸 (@williambeaurega) 3 июня 2019 г.
He only meant well
— David Collins (@DavidCo68802193) 3 июня 2019 г.
Lol…. the man can't spell protocol least of all comprehend it! pic.twitter.com/ZSmCdclJn7
— Naija PunStar! ♈ (@DAgubamah) 4 июня 2019 г.
He has no idea of what protocol is. I’m surprised she didn’t shutter in fear.
— oflairkjs (@oflairkjs) 3 июня 2019 г.
He thinks he’s above a Queen.
— 𝐿𝒾𝓉𝓉𝓁𝑒 𝒮𝒾𝓅𝓈 𝑜𝒻 𝒯𝑒𝒶 (@littlesipsoftea) 4 июня 2019 г.
My apologies to our esteemed UK allies that Her Majesty must tolerate our mannerless #BuffoonInChief. But please don't blame all of us, I voted for @HillaryClinton. Wish us luck in #Election2020, as I wish you luck for the successor to PM Theresa May.🇬🇧🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/7ehrH2ig8P
— AmericanDreamBlueWarrior (@nyzap) 4 июня 2019 г.
Donald Trump makes his own rules.
— fern martins (@fmartins911) 3 июня 2019 г.
I knew it was not appropriate, and I believe he realized quickly. He always does that, though. It's hard to break a habit. I think she forgave him.
— MimiShu (@mimiaow) 4 июня 2019 г.
He is not the first official to break the protocol,is he?
— ravida07 (@ravida07RUSA) 3 июня 2019 г.
Commenting on the incident, one user claimed that “Donald Trump makes his own rules”, while another sarcastically noted that the US President “only meant well”.
It is worth noting that the lapse of protocol took place after Trump delivered a speech heaping praise on the Queen, who “has stood as a constant symbol of these priceless traditions from the Second World War to today”.
Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived at London's Stansted Airport on Monday morning, in what became his first three-day state visit to the UK. On the first day, Trump’s schedule included meeting the Queen, visiting Westminster Abbey and attending a dinner hosted in Buckingham Palace.
