First Lady of the United States Melania Trump has described having tea with Queen Elizabeth II as an “honour”, after she and the President were invited to spend the afternoon at Windsor Castle.
President Trump and his wife had an audience with the 92-year-old monarch at her favourite castle on Friday during their four-day tour of the UK, following a meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday.
Melania ditched her usual glamorous style, perhaps aware that the Queen does not approve of revealing clothing, for a more demure look as she donned a sophisticated cream jacket and matching pencil skirt for the royal occasion.
Following the historic event, Mrs Trump, 48, posted a heartfelt message about her day with Her Majesty online, alongside a selection of photos showing her and Donald beaming with pride as they watched the Inspection of the Guard side-by-side with Queen Elizabeth.
She wrote: “It was an honor to meet and have tea with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. @POTUS and I enjoyed the visit and her company very much!!” (sic)
The visit marks Trump’s first official trip to the UK since the former property mogul was inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States in January 2017. However the trip has been marred by anti-Trump demonstrations, as people took to the streets in London and the Scottish capital of Edinburgh to protest the President’s visit.
Trump said the protests had left him feeling “unwelcome” in the country. He told The Sun: “I guess when they put out blimps to make me feel unwelcome, no reason for me to go to London.”
While Melania was thrilled about meeting the Queen, many people blasted the American couple for allegedly behaving disrespectfully during the visit, suggesting the pair should have bowed and curtsied when they met Her Majesty.
One shocked Twitter user wrote: “Hmmm. A handshake. This is not how one traditionally greets the Queen. Could they not have taught Trump protocol? No?”
Another added: “So disrespectful that neither @realDonaldTrump or @MELANIATRUMP curtsied or even bowed their head to the Queen.”
However Royal author Hugh Vickers told AP that heads of state are not actually expected to curtsy or bow to the monarch. However, it is common practice for heads of state to perform the act anyway, out of respect, and British Prime Minister Theresa May regularly curtsies when she meets the Queen in public, while men usually give a short bow from their necks.
The US President has not yet visited Australia, despite hosting Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at the White House, however it was recently revealed that he is planning to visit in November this year.