Trump at the Queen of England: the truth of the protocol
The US president and his wife are invited to drink tea this Friday at Windsor Palace. A risky sequence for Donald Trump, who often has trouble complying with protocol.
Clash of styles under the gold of Windsor Palace, where Donald Trump and his wife Melania are to meet Her Majesty the Queen of England this Friday afternoon. The presidential couple are invited to share tea with his majesty. Suffice to say that this interview will be scrutinized in great detail. The American, often reluctant to comply with protocol, is used to oddities and bizarre attitudes ...
Queen Elizabeth, curator, doesn't mess with etiquette. If, officially, "there are no obligatory codes other than simple courtesy", as indicated by Buckingham Palace on its site, the sovereign is attached to etiquette and respect for customs.
In 66 years of reign, Elizabeth II has crossed paths with many heads of state, not always irreproachable in terms of good manners. Donald Trump, he leaves with a serious handicap. He is very little appreciated by the royal family.
In a tweet from 2012, he attacked Kate Middleton, after the publication of photos of them topless in the French press. "She should not sunbathe naked - she can only blame herself," said Donald Trump.
Kate Middleton is great - but she shouldn't be sunbathing in the nude - only herself to blame.
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 17, 2012
On the other hand, the American president, whose mother was Scottish, has a real admiration for Queen Elizabeth. She is "a wonderful woman," who "has represented her country for years without making the slightest mistake," he said this week. Will he be able to avoid slippages and inappropriate reflections during his royal meeting? Here are the main rules for him and his wife.
The handshake: as light as possible!
The first contact is essential. Good understanding between the two heads of state can be played out in the first seconds of the meeting. According to custom, the handshake is the only moment in the protocol when physical contact is exchanged between the queen and her guest. The guest must wait for the queen to extend her hand to him. Donald Trump, used to crushed phalanges and arms turned in all directions, will absolutely have to correct his style. Because the handshake exchanged with the Queen of England must be light and delicate.
Reverence for Melania, but no bow
At the time of greetings with the queen, men are simply required to "bow their heads (and only their heads)," writes the royal household on its site. Donald Trump, as head of state, is not required to do so, but this sign is welcome attention. Adequacy dictates that women opt for a bow, right foot behind left heel, head tilted down. But beware of excess obsequiousness. The queen likes sobriety. About Margaret Thatcher, she complained: "His reverence goes down to Australia".
"Your majesty" and "Ma'am" to meet the queen
It is the queen who takes the initiative to start the conversation. The guest's first response opens with “Your Majesty”, then the dialogue continues by calling it “Ma'am” (contraction of “Madame”). Her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, will be greeted with a “Your Royal Higness”. And be careful not to address Elizabeth by saying "Madam Queen of England", as she actually reigns over "the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland". Tradition has it that we do not ask the queen a question and let her guide the conversation.
No hand behind the back, no kiss or selfie
Royal codes come from a time when signs of physical affection were prohibited. The sovereign, of divine power, could not be the object of this kind of familiarity. Jacques Chirac, on two occasions, in 1996 and in 2004, transgressed this use, by placing his hand on the back of the queen. The press and British public opinion had cried scandal. Michelle Obama, when she was First Lady, had also indulged in hugging the queen. But the monarch, who greatly appreciated the Obama couple, did not hold it against him.
Allowed to look her in the eye
In terms of clothing, here too, it is simplicity that prevails. Too dark colors should be avoided, as should short skirts or garish shirts. Contrary to legend, it is quite accepted to look the queen in the eye. Likewise, it is possible to turn your back to leave the premises.
Deviations tolerated ... but beware of the tabloids
In the event of a breach of protocol, in general, Queen Elizabeth acts as if nothing had happened. Nobility obliges. This does not prevent him from directly criticizing a guest who behaves badly. During the G20 organized in 2009, she publicly targeted Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi: “Why is he making so much noise? ". One day when Barack Obama had continued his speech while "God Save The Queen" resounded, she had let him understand his embarrassment ...
When a mistake is made, the queen and her services do not overly formalize. But beware of the dreaded English tabloids and reactions on social networks. The failure to respect the royal etiquette still shocks part of public opinion across the Channel.
