King Charles and Queen Camilla are heading to the United States this week for a state visit between April 27th and 29th, the first time a British monarch has made a trip of this kind since the late Queen Elizabeth was hosted by George W. Bush back in 2007.
With the royals due to be welcomed on American soil, the trip is expected to be heavy on ceremony and careful diplomacy. But one royal expert believes President Donald Trump could be at serious risk of repeating past mistakes when it comes to etiquette.
Grant Harrold, who previously worked as a royal butler for King Charles from 2004 to 2011, has shared his thoughts with Action Network ahead of any potential meeting between the pair — and he’s doubtful everything will go smoothly.
Those expectations are echoed by bookmakers, too. Odds assessed by Action Network suggest an implied 91% chance of another breach of royal protocol, priced at -1010.
Grant said: “Every time Donald Trump meets the Royal Family, he manages to break protocol. It’s happened so many times now, I think we can almost guarantee there’ll be a breach of protocol again.
“Most likely it’ll be Trump doing the wrong handshake or putting his hands on the King, or even dare I say hugging a member of the family.”
Harrold’s guidance for both Donald and Melania Trump is intentionally straightforward — and he boils it down to just a few words.
“My advice to the Trumps would be to look, but don’t touch. As simple as that. Look, smile, be gracious, but please do not touch. Leave the King alone,” Grant said.
He also notes that formal gestures like bowing or curtsying aren’t mandatory for American figures, since those customs are expected of British subjects rather than overseas leaders and their spouses.
Still, Harrold says there’s one part of the greeting Trump should pay close attention to, especially given the scrutiny that comes with any royal appearance: the handshake.
“Donald and Melania don’t need to bow or curtsey as they are not British. However, the president could do with working on his handshake, dignifying it a bit.
“It should be two or three pumps with your hands to the side, not too strong, not overpowering, not too limp – and make sure there is eye contact,” Grant added.
According to Harrold, etiquette isn’t only about avoiding physical missteps. He argues the conversation itself needs the same level of caution — with certain topics best left untouched.
Questions about internal family tensions are an easy no, he says, but he places particular emphasis on discretion and keeping private discussions private.
Grant continued: “Trump should avoid asking about anything too personal, for example he shouldn’t ask about any royal drama. And it’s also vital that anything they do discuss is kept confidential and not repeated.
“There have been previous incidents of where the president has shared details of his personal letters with the King, and this would not have gone down well at the palace.
The two men aren’t strangers. Trump previously visited the UK in September 2025, where he was hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla, and the trip quickly drew attention after multiple reported breaks from royal protocol.
Now, as the visit approaches, attention will be focused on the White House arrival — and on whether the greeting goes off without another headline-making slip.