In one of the Wimbledon posts, I mentioned that the London Times – a conservative British newspaper – claimed that Prince William and Prince Charles flat-out refused to meet Donald Trump during Trump’s visit to Britain last week. Sources claimed that when the negotiations were happening, Charles and William both begged off from any kind of formal or informal meeting with Donald Trump. Sources also pointed out that the Duke of Edinburgh also made sure to not be around at all when the Queen met Trump at Windsor Castle. That being said, before Trump even arrived in Britain, British government sources claimed that Trump and his team were very amenable to whatever the royal family wanted to give them, and that Trump didn’t ask to meet with anyone, and that he would meet with whoever he could get. Anyway, long story short, it seems like a meeting with William and Charles was never even discussed.
Was President Donald Trump given the royal snub? After Queen Elizabeth met with the American president on Friday, a source told the Sunday Times that Prince Charles and Prince William, who are first and second in line to the throne, “refused to attend.”
However, a palace spokesperson tells PEOPLE that Charles and William were never supposed to take part in the meeting.
“In line with standard practice for guest of government visits the President was received by The Queen as Head of State. The arrangements were mutually agreed between the Palace and the U.K. and U.S. governments,” the spokesperson says. “There was never a suggestion that other members of the royal family would take part.”
Adds Dickie Arbiter, former spokesman for the Queen and author of On Duty with the Queen, “It was always going to be a short visit and as soon as you have too many people it gets longer. It was a courtesy call – that’s all it was.”
After more than a year of back-and-forth about whether he would be heading to the U.K. for an official visit, President Trump — along with the first lady — met the Queen at Windsor Castle on Friday. The Trumps were welcomed at the Quadrangle of the castle, where a Guard of Honor gave a royal salute and the U.S. national anthem was played. The Queen and President Trump inspected the Guard of Honor before watching the military march past. The president and first lady then joined the Queen inside the castle for afternoon tea.
I tend to believe it was a little bit of everything: Charles and William clearly had no interest in meeting Trump and they made their feelings known. Trump’s team never pressed the issue of who Trump wanted to meet, and it’s not like he was begging Charles or William for a face-to-face. And the May government just wanted to get Trump the hell out of the country as soon as possible, so they organized a series of quick appearances and nothing in London.
Photos courtesy of Getty.
“…would meet with whomever he could get…” Damn! They should’ve sent Edward!
I would’ve PAID to see Dump’s face when he saw that Ed was waiting for him instead of TQ!!! That would’ve been priceless!
“SO very sorry… TQ had an attack of bone spurs and sends regrets. HRH Prince Edward is here though!” LOLOLOLOL
Aw man, let’s not do Edward dirty like this. He seems pretty nice.
They should have sent Fergie.
Fergie! ha ha
Lmao!
The only one who felt she had to meet Trump, as she is the monarch, is the Queen. Which she did. Phillip is retired and elderly, so it wasn’t required for him to be there. And Charles and William’s presences weren’t required either. Unfortunately, the only one who really had to be there was Theresa May who was forced to spend quite a bit of time with him, much to her chagrin I’m sure.
She got to sit in front of Tom Hiddleston at Wimbledon. That’s her consolation trophy
I would love to meet the queen! The rest of the family, not so much. Once she dies the monarachy as we know it will die with her.
Nah, Princess Char can come to the rescue!
I was a bit surprised Philip wasn’t there to support HM, which leads me to wonder if he’s the one refusing Trump? But then, Philip is officially retired, enjoying life at Sandringham. HM looked a bit lonely there, waiting for Trump. I wish Charles had been there.
I believe he was off being named a godparent to a child in Lord Mountbatten’s family. I can’t remember the name but the child was the child of the woman Charles walked down the aisle a few yrs ago.
Thanks for the bonus picture of lovely Tom Hiddleston instead of ones of the Orange Dotard and Malaria’s butt revealing skirt!
The header pic drives me crazy. It was used widely but the press routinely failed to mention that Rod Laver was seated directly behind Kate. He is one of the greatest players ever and a 4 time Wimbledon champ.
I believe it wasn’t a refusal, but if they wanted, there would have been all the time in the world for being together. The Obamas spent all kinds of time with generations of royals all because everyone WANTED to be with them. Trump got the bare minimum of their time because he sucks.
Yep! Everywhere he went President Obama was treated like a Rock Star. He gave speeches and thousands cheered for him on foreign soil. I think DT thought he would be received in the same manner and he has been met yes with thousands but they are not there to adulate him like they did President Obama.
Plain and simple as Molly stated. Because he SUCKS!
It seemed very odd that the Queen was alone. She usually has someone with her, no? I think her family tried to convince her not to do this meeting and she insisted it was her obligation so they told her she was on her own then. Watching the video the whole thing looked awkward AF. Trump inspected the guards with zero enthusiasm. He looked like such an idiot. I think he was pissed at the scaled back fanfare. The Queen should have bailed on that mess citing a pesky headache or dispepsia.