Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton are clearly treating Donald Trump’s visit with exclusivity. After the United States president arrived on September 17th with his wife, Melania, the foursome quietly met behind closed doors at Windsor Castle. The Waleses were the first royals to welcome the Trumps as their helicopter touched down on the castle grounds. Trump wasted no time complimenting Kate Middleton, calling her “so beautiful,” before telling William they had “lots to catch up with.”
The formalities kicked off with King Charles and Queen Camilla officially greeting the couple, followed by a carriage procession that set the tone for a lavish afternoon. Inside Windsor, the royals and Trumps sat down for lunch before William and Kate left for a private meeting with the right-wing personalities. Unsurprisingly, the encounter is provoking curiosity about what they might have discussed in confidence.
However, not everyone is cheerful about this visit. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey confirmed he would boycott the banquet to protest Trump’s stance on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. While royals, politicians, and global figures mingled in Windsor, the absence served as a pointed reminder that political tensions should also be discussed over the lavish and over-the-top royal paraphernalia.