President Donald Trump faced criticism during his state visit to Windsor Castle on Wednesday when he was seen walking ahead of King Charles III during a guard of honor inspection. Social media users and commentators questioned whether the US president had broken royal protocol by appearing to take the lead position ahead of the British monarch.
The moment was captured on camera as Trump and King Charles inspected troops in the Windsor Castle Quadrangle. Video footage showed Trump walking alongside a guard while the King followed several steps behind, prompting immediate reactions on social media platforms.
TV commentator and former Big Brother star Narinder Kaur expressed her displeasure on X, writing: “Oh god..he’s walking infront of the King, like Charles doesn’t even exist or matter!” Her comment quickly gained attention and sparked debate about whether Trump had committed a diplomatic error during the ceremonial occasion.
What actually happened according to royal protocol
Yes, there were many actions of Trump that spoke of his disregard for the king. However, royal sources have clarified that Trump did not actually break any official protocol during the guard inspection. According to a royal source who spoke to Newsweek, it is standard practice for visiting heads of state to walk ahead of the monarch during troop inspections. This protocol applies to all state visits and is part of the established ceremonial procedures.
Oh god..he's walking infront of the King, like Charles doesn't even exist or matter! pic.twitter.com/mI5Du5nYNb
— Narinder Kaur (@narindertweets) September 17, 2025
Video evidence from the event shows King Charles gesturing for Trump to take the lead position before the inspection began. The King appeared to beckon the president forward, indicating that the arrangement was intentional and choreographed according to proper royal protocol. This gesture demonstrates that the positioning was planned rather than an accidental breach of etiquette.
The criticism appears to stem from memories of Trump’s previous visit to Britain in 2019, when he walked ahead of the late Queen Elizabeth II in what was widely reported as a protocol breach. During that visit, Trump stopped directly in front of the Queen, forcing her to maneuver around him to continue walking alongside him. Royal officials have had to navigate Trump’s unique diplomatic style throughout his interactions with the British monarchy.
Previous royal visits and established precedent
This protocol for visiting heads of state has been consistent throughout King Charles’s reign. According to fact-checkers at Snopes, all five state visits during Charles’s time as monarch have followed the same pattern, with foreign leaders walking ahead during troop inspections. This includes visits from French President Emmanuel Macron, the Japanese Emperor, and the President of South Korea.
Actually, if you listen, the King indicated to Trump to take the lead for the inspection! At least keep your posts accurate. pic.twitter.com/ETYias3YtI
— VSK ⚘
(@v_keddie) September 17, 2025
The royal family’s official website states there are “no obligatory codes of behaviour when meeting The Queen or a member of the Royal Family” but acknowledges that many people choose to observe traditional forms of greeting. For men, this typically includes a neck bow, while women perform a small curtsy, though handshakes are also acceptable.
Trump’s visit included other moments that drew attention from royal watchers. Some UK newspapers noted that he did not bow when meeting the King and Queen, and was seen touching the arms of both King Charles and Prince William during their interactions. While these actions may break informal etiquette conventions, they do not violate official royal protocol.
The state visit represented an unprecedented honor for Trump, as he became the first US president to receive a second royal state visit with full royal ceremony. The elaborate ceremony included a carriage procession, military parade, and state banquet at Windsor Castle. Despite the social media criticism, the confusion over the guard inspection highlights how royal protocol can appear unclear to outside observers, even when proper procedures are being followed correctly.
