Palace wades in on Donald Trump royal protocol row as he's accused of awkward error

A palace source has cleared up whether Donald Trump 'broke protocol'in a key moment at Windsor Castle today.

After arriving to meet the royals on his unprecedented second state visit, the US president and wife Melania were greeted by the Prince and Princess of Wales before being reunited with the King and Queen. After a carriage ride through Windsor, a Guard of Honour, made up of the Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards and Scots Guards gave a royal salute and theUS and UK national anthems were played.

Afterwards, Lt Col Storm Green, Captain of the Guard of Honour, then invited the President to inspect the bespoke Guard of Honour, which was made up of Nijmegen Company Grenadier Guards, No 7 Company Coldstream Guards, and F Company Scots Guards.

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Mr Trump appeared fascinated as he was escorted down the first two ranks of soldiers, with the King following a few steps behind as per tradition.

As he prepared to walk back to the dais, he appeared to thank Lt Col Green profusely, saying: “Thank you, thank you so much.” “Watch the sword!” said the monarch, laughing, as the Guard of Honour captain raised his blade to his bearskin, signalling the end of the inspection.

During Mr Trump's last state visit to the UK, he was criticised for walking in front of the late Queen when they inspected the troops - although royal sources insisted he did nothing wrong.

Again today, Mr Trump walked in front of the King, but according to The Telegraph, palace sources have insisted it was not a breach in tradition.

Back on the dais, the King and President watched a march past by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, the Sovereign’s Escort and the Guard of Honour and appeared to be getting on famously.

The Queen and First Lady had also been deep in conversation while their husbands were on the parade ground. Proceedings were watched by large contingents of staff from the royal household and the White House, gathered at the Equerries Entrance.

As the ceremony drew to a close, the King and President led the royal party to the Sovereign’s Entrance of the Castle and headed inside for a private lunch.

There are no public-facing elements during Mr Trump’s engagements, with security paramount for the 47th US president – who has faced two assassination attempts in just over a year – in the wake of the killing of his ally Charlie Kirk.

Other elements of the royal-focused first day include a visit to the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II in St George’s Chapel, lunch with the royal family, a special Beating Retreat ceremony with a flypast of UK and US F-35 fighter jets and the Red Arrows, and in the evening, to top off the royal celebrations, a lavish state banquet.

The Trumps will stay overnight in the 1,000-year-old castle as guests of the King and Queen. However, thousands are expected to take part in major protests against his two-day stay, with a march through central London, followed by a rally in Parliament Square at 5pm.

Mr Trump has previously hinted at possible tariff relief for UK steel ahead of talks with Keir Starmer at the Prime Minister’s country residence, Chequers, tomorrow.