A body language expert has weighed in on the moment President Trump told King Charles that his mother had a ‘crush’ on the royal, during a trip that marks the first visit by a member of the British royal family to the White House in almost two decades.
Despite the pageantry and strict protocol surrounding the landmark occasion, the president made sure the event remained memorable for King Charles and Queen Camilla.
It’s long been expected that when Trump takes to the microphone, his remarks can veer away from the planned script.
During last night’s proceedings (April 28), a string of jokes introduced a markedly different tone to an otherwise meticulously staged welcome, featuring a military band, uniformed personnel, a 21-gun salute, a flypast by fighter jets and a sea of British and US flags.
People gathered on the White House South Lawn as Trump spoke from a platform alongside the King, Queen Camilla and first lady Melania.
The 79-year-old then turned the focus to his family background, referencing his mother’s Scottish roots and her affection for the royal family.
“Any time the Queen was involved in the ceremony or anything,” he said, “My mother would be glued to the television and she’d say, ‘look Donald, look how beautiful that is’.”
The president continued: “She really did love the family, but I also remember her saying very clearly, ‘Charles, look young Charles, he’s so cute.’
“My mother had a crush on Charles. Can you believe it? I wonder what she’s thinking right now.”
As the comment landed, the King appeared to roll his eyes before giving a brief smirk—an exchange that quickly spread across social media.
In response to the viral moment, body language expert Darren Stanton—speaking on behalf of Betfair Casino—shared his view on what the King’s expression suggested behind the scenes.
The expert claimed: “He [King Charles] obviously has a very good sense of humour. He rolled his eyes and pulled a slight smirk, it wasn’t negative and appeared to be taken in good humour.
“They seem to have a really strong bond, and Charles has done an exceptional job on this visit.”
Stanton also suggested the trip could influence how some people view the monarchy.
He added: “Not being a politician himself, alongside his charm, ease, and real statesmanship – which he demonstrated in his speech last night – has really disarmed those he has met on the trip and you can see that in their more relaxed and loose body language.”
Trump’s mother, Mary Anne Trump—who died in 2000 at the age of 88—was born in the Outer Hebrides in Scotland and grew up in a Gaelic-speaking home.
She moved to the United States in 1930 when she was 18, later meeting Fred Trump. The pair married in 1936.