Trump kept King Charles waiting: How the Palace responded 

Donald Trump’s second state visit to the UK started with drama after he left King Charles cooling his heels for 21 whole minutes in Windsor.

The US President, joined by his wife Melania, was supposed to land in Marine One at 11:55am to be greeted by Prince William and Kate before meeting the King and Queen. But Trump touched down late, 12:14pm, forcing Charles and Camilla, who had already arrived in their Bentley, to wait awkwardly.

When the Trumps finally emerged at 12:16pm, Trump walked ahead of Charles while chatting with the Coldstream Guards, a move that immediately sparked whispers of a repeat of his infamous 2019 “royal snub” when he walked in front of Queen Elizabeth.

This time, however, Buckingham Palace rushed to defend him. Insiders claimed Charles himself invited Trump to walk ahead, insisting “no royal protocol was breached.”

The pair later shared a warm handshake, with Trump even placing his hand on the King’s arm, another break from stiff royal formality. But again, Palace officials downplayed it, saying the King has adopted a more relaxed style with world leaders, including Biden and Macron.

Still, critics are asking: why is Trump always the one pushing the boundaries with the British monarchy?

For now, Palace aides are standing firm that there was no offence taken. But with the world’s media scrutinising his every move, Trump’s three-day UK visit is already proving anything but ordinary.