King Charles and Queen Camilla officially welcomed US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to the UK for their second state visit.

The couple’s visit began in Windsor on Wednesday, September 17, and already, Melania seemed to reveal which royal holds a special place in her heart.

Reports suggest the first lady cut short her chat with Queen Camilla in order to turn her attention to the Princess of Wales.

Melania and Camilla’s ‘Awkward’ Exchange

Clips shared on social media from the Windsor meeting showed Melania speaking with Queen Camilla. Yet, within moments, she appeared to wrap up the conversation and shifted her focus toward Princess Kate.

Kate, 43, warmly reciprocated, engaging directly with the first lady, and the two seemed genuinely delighted to see one another.

Meanwhile, Queen Camilla, 78, who has been unwell recently, quietly observed before briefly turning away.

Queen Camilla’s Health and Appearance

Just the day before, Camilla missed the funeral of the Duchess of Kent due to illness. A palace statement on September 16 confirmed: “With great regret, Her Majesty The Queen has withdrawn from attendance at this afternoon’s Requiem Mass for The Duchess of Kent as she is recovering from acute sinusitis.

“Her thoughts and prayers will be with The Duke of Kent and all the family.”

By Wednesday, however, she seemed in better spirits, glowing in a sapphire blue Fiona Clare coat and dress, paired with a Philip Treacy hat. She completed the look with a sapphire and diamond brooch.

Style Spotlight: Kate, Camilla, and Melania

Princess Kate looked radiant in a burgundy Emilia Wickstead dress, topped with a Jane Taylor “Neso” hat. Her diamond and emerald feather brooch, once owned by Princess Diana, was a poignant nod to her late mother-in-law.

Melania, meanwhile, opted for a Christian Dior Haute Couture dark grey skirt suit, paired with a dramatic plum wide-brimmed hat.

Earlier this week, a Trump spokesperson shared that the couple was “thrilled” about Kate being “front and centre” during the visit, something Melania’s warm approach seemed to highlight.

Still, some viewers thought the interaction among the three women looked uncomfortable. Comments on X included:

“Camilla went to speak with Melania but then Kate stepped in and they both shut out Camilla.”

“Camilla acted like the third wheel. She was a bit lost.”

“Camilla is soooo awkward in this situation.”

Others, however, insisted the trio appeared to be enjoying themselves. One person wrote: “What a fabulous photo! I do love Queen Camilla. I mean Catherine and Melania are gorgeous.” Another added: “Queen Camilla and Melania Trump [have known] each other for years,” punctuated with a heart emoji.

Questions Over Protocol

Some observers wondered whether Donald and Melania Trump may have already broken royal protocol on the first day of their visit.

During greetings, the president did not bow and the first lady did not curtsy when meeting the king and queen, nor did they do so with William and Kate.

For some, this appeared a major breach. But according to the royal family’s official website, they had nothing to worry about.

The site explains: “There are no obligatory codes of behaviour when meeting a member of the royal family. But many people wish to observe the traditional forms.”

It clarifies: “For men this is a neck bow (from the head only) whilst women do a small curtsy. Other people prefer simply to shake hands in the usual way.”

The same point was highlighted back in 2018, when Trump was accused of breaking protocol for shaking Queen Elizabeth II’s hand instead of bowing.