The Palace usually prefer to remain above gossip, but today they made an exception, releasing a formal denial after reposrts suggested Prince Charles and Prince William snubbed US President Donald Trump during his UK visit.
The Sunday Times quoted an anonymous source saying that Charles and William had “refused to attend” Trump’s visit, leaving the queen to host Trump solo.
However the Palace says this is not the case.
“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,” a royal spokesperson told People. “There was never a suggestion that other members of the royal family would take part.”
However with the Queen left to deal with Trump on her own, things didn’t exactly go off without a hitch.
The Queen was left glancing at her watch as she waited for Trump and his wife, Melania, to arrive.
And then trump broke royal protocol – and common decency – to walk in front of, and turn his back on the Queen.
Grant Harrold, a former butler for the royal family, told ITV News that letting the Queen lead in every scenario is a top rule in royal protocol.