Oh dear...
Last year saw Donald Trump’s first official visit of the United Kingdom, announcing before he left, ‘I think they like me over there’.
In response, the UK came out in force to say otherwise, holding mass protests in the streets, resulting in the president actually avoiding the English capital and staying at Windsor and Chequers for his official engagements instead.
Everyone from TV presenters and A-list celebrities to politicians and athletes got involved, with even Prince Charles and Prince William choosing not to meet the President, and leaving the Queen to meet DT at Windsor Castle solo.
People were surprised therefore when it was announced that Donald was returning to the UK, with the Royal Family releasing the following statement:
‘The President of The United States of America, President Donald J. Trump, accompanied by Mrs Melania Trump, has accepted an invitation from Her Majesty The Queen to pay a State Visit to the UK. The visit will take place from Monday 3rd June to Wednesday 5th June this year. President Trump and Mrs Trump previously joined The Queen for tea at Windsor Castle in July 2018.’
But even the revelation that Trump was coming to the UK didn’t raise as many eyebrows as the White House’s announcement, with the statement making a blunder when referring to the Royal Family.
‘President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump accepted the invitation of Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to visit the United Kingdom from June 3 to 5, 2019. This state visit will reaffirm the steadfast and special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom.’
Yes, you guessed it. The Queen was referred to as ‘Her Royal Majesty’, something that breaks protocol as the Queen should actually be referred to as ‘Her Majesty’.
Of course this isn’t the first time that Donald has ripped up the royal rulebook when it comes to the monarch, going in for a handshake instead of bowing and then striding ahead of her as they inspected the Queen’s Guard.
What’s going to happen this time? Only time will tell.
