Kate Middleton and Prince William were tasked with greeting Donald and Melania Trump as they arrived at Windsor Castle – and the princess used a subtle handbag trick
The Princess of Wales employed a subtle tactic with her handbag as she welcomed Donald and Melania Trump at Windsor Castle today.
Prince William and Kate were given the initial responsibility of extending Royal hospitality to the Trumps, who arrived aboard Marine One, the designated call sign for the United States Marine Corps aircraft carrying the president. The princess greeted Mr Trump with a wide smile as they shook hands at Windsor Castle. The president reciprocated warmly with William, patting the future king affectionately on his right arm.
The Trumps and the Waleses strolled side by side following their arrival – with William and Mr Trump engaged in conversation at the centre of the group, while the US President held his wife Melania’s hand before introducing them to the King and Queen.
Body language expert Bruce Durham from Huddle Culture noticed a subtle gesture from Kate. He explained to the Mirror: “When they walk away from the helicopter, you see Kate notices the closeness between Donald and Melania, but then what occurs is that her brain notices this and you’ll see there is a shift of her handbag in her hands.”
He continued: “And what this is, is that she notices that and she feels uncomfortable enough and her brain says move closer to William but because of that regimented royal protocol that’s been ingrained within her, all you get is a shift of the handbag, which indicates she wants to do it, but she regiments herself and recognises that spatial awareness.
“They do look jovial, but it is good when you get these different types of behavioral accpetances, where you’ve got the American president and his partner and Prince William on the other side and the different expectations of how people should behave.”
The prince and princess accompanied the president and his wife on the brief walk to meet the King and Queen in front of the gable-ended Victoria House.
This distinctive venue, never previously utilised for an incoming state visit in contemporary times, represents just one of several special touches being implemented to impress the contentious billionaire-turned-politician, who regards the King as his “friend”.
Camilla managed to attend the opening engagement of this crucial diplomatic Royal obligation after withdrawing from the Duchess of Kent’s funeral on Tuesday owing to acute sinusitis.
The Queen donned a striking sapphire blue dress, complemented by a matching coat from Fiona Clare and a Philip Treacy hat, along with a sapphire and diamond brooch.
Ceremony and grandeur were displayed in full splendour, with the military spectacle for Mr Trump reaching unparalleled proportions.
Twenty-two half-companies of personnel from across the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the British Army and the Royal Air Force formed the guard along the carriage procession route through the private Windsor estate to the castle.
The Trumps joined the King, Queen, and the prince and princess for a picturesque carriage ride through the verdant parkland to the castle, escorted by the vibrant Sovereign’s Escort of the Life Guards and the Blues and Royals of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
Later in the day, other royal-centric activities included a visit to Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb in St George’s Chapel, lunch with the Royal family, a special Beating Retreat ceremony featuring a flypast of UK and US F-35 fighter jets and the Red Arrows. To conclude the Royal festivities, a sumptuous state banquet was held in the evening.
The Trumps were invited to stay overnight in the thousand year old castle as guests of the King and Queen.
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