Queen Meets Donald Trump: Insights from Her Biographer

In a recent analysis of the Queen's interactions with various world leaders, it was noted that she found former US President Donald Trump to be 'very rude' during their meetings. This sentiment was shared during a lunch with a guest, where she expressed her discomfort with his habit of looking over her shoulder, seemingly in search of more interesting company. Trump's response to this claim was to assert that the Queen had a wonderful time in his presence, even suggesting he was her 'favourite president.' The Queen's history with other leaders has also been marked by instances of perceived rudeness. For example, during a state banquet for Barack Obama, she was eager to retire for the night, but he continued to engage with other guests, leaving her waiting. This behavior was not an isolated incident; it mirrored her experience with King Hassan II of Morocco, who was reprimanded by her for disrespecting her staff. Interestingly, the Queen's complaints about rudeness typically concerned the treatment of others rather than herself. This pattern suggests that while she may have felt discomfort in Trump's company, her focus remained on the broader implications of etiquette and respect in royal engagements. Ultimately, these interactions highlight the complexities of royal diplomacy, where personal feelings may be overshadowed by the expectations of decorum and respect that govern such high-profile meetings.