Trump's almost flawless deal with Queen Elizabeth II
Even before his arrival in England, Donald Trump was tweeting to insult the mayor of London. Before obediently submitting to the ceremonial of the crown in front of an impassive queen ...
It was noon, in full sun, when Donald Trump's helicopter landed near the official residence of the British sovereigns, to the sound of cannon fire announcing his arrival. A welcome with great pomp for the American President and his wife Melania, greeted on their descent from the helicopter by Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, while Queen Elizabeth, awaited the couple on the steps of Buckingham Palace.
On the day's program: lunch with the Queen, tea with Prince Charles, No. 1 in the order of succession to the throne, then an official banquet where Trump had swapped his usual red tie for a white bow tie. In short, a ceremonial regulated like music paper, which did not prevent the American president from causing a sensation by unpinning a new controversy.
Monday morning, just before landing, the billionaire split on his Twitter account with a marked assault, calling the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan a "total loser". The day before, Khan had felt that the United Kingdom was wrong to "roll out the red carpet" for Trump.
Queen can't stand Trump's 'sexist attitude'
The American president has the art of blowing hot and cold. After this violent projection against the mayor of London, one more on his record, he praised the sovereign, aged 93: "The queen and all the royal family were fantastic," tweeted the billionaire. Trump even came to terms with the very rigorous ceremonial across the Channel. He made only one blunder when he spoke directly to the soldiers of the Royal Guard.
London part of trip is going really well. The Queen and the entire Royal family have been fantastic. The relationship with the United Kingdom is very strong. Tremendous crowds of well wishers and people that love our Country. Haven’t seen any protests yet, but I’m sure the ....
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2019
Last year, the same, inevitably less experienced, had reviewed the British troops ahead of the Queen. A total "lack of respect" for an Elizabeth II "very attached to protocol", estimates the English journalist Stephen Clarke, author of "Elizabeth II or sovereign humor" (Albin Michel). The rule is clear: we walk next to the queen, neither behind nor in front! Obviously learned lesson this time.
The "American" and "rustic" side of Donald Trump is not what bothers the queen, says the journalist. On the other hand, she would not stand "his sexist attitude towards women", and the accusations of sexual harassment aimed at him. On the other hand, there is no question of showing his feelings. Faced with the exuberance and unpredictability of a Trump, Elizabeth II can oppose “experience”, “sense of duty” and an entirely British phlegm, estimates the historian Jean Des Cars *. In office for over 67 years, "the queen has seen the world" assures this specialist in monarchies. Even if Trump is not his cup of tea, rather abdicate than let it show.
