3 weeks ago
Last Updated: August 20, 2024, 10:43 IST
London, United Kingdom (UK)
Donald Trump with his wife Melania are seen together with Britain's then Prince Charles during a reception at Buckingham Palace hosted by late Queen Elizabeth, in London, Britain, December 3, 2019. (Reuters)
Queen Elizabeth II reportedly found Donald Trump "very rude" and questioned his relationship with Melania, according to a new biography
A new biography of Queen Elizabeth II claims to reveal her candid thoughts on former President Donald Trump, describing him as “very rude” during their encounters.
The claims are detailed in Craig Brown’s book, A Voyage Around The Queen, which is being serialized in the Daily Mail. According to the biography, the Queen expressed her disapproval of Trump shortly after he visited Windsor Castle in 2018.
‘Some sort of arrangement’
Brown writes that the British monarch, who passed away in 2022, confided to a lunch guest that she disliked how Trump frequently looked over her shoulder, seemingly in search of “others more interesting.” According to the writer cited by the British tabloid, the late Queen speculated about Trump’s marriage to Melania, suggesting that they must have “some sort of arrangement” for her to remain with him.
Trump met the Queen twice during his presidency, first in July 2018 and again in June 2019. Their initial meeting was not classified as a state visit due to significant public opposition, which included protests and a giant balloon depicting Trump as a baby. During that visit, Trump kept the then-92-year-old monarch waiting for ten minutes in warm weather and reportedly walked ahead of her during a guard inspection, breaking royal protocol.
Despite these incidents, Trump has claimed that he had a positive relationship with the Queen. The former US President and current Republican nominee told Fox News, “We were laughing and having fun. And her people said she hasn’t had so much fun in 25 years.” He also expressed confidence that he was her favorite guest, stating, “There are those that say they have never seen the Queen have a better time, a more animated time.”
‘Grand and beautiful lady’
After the Queen’s death in September 2022, Trump issued a statement mourning her loss, praising her as a “grand and beautiful lady.” He said, “Melania and I are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” adding that they would “never forget” her “generous friendship” and “wonderful sense of humour.”
The Queen, known for her discretion, rarely shared her personal opinions about world leaders, making these revelations particularly striking. Fiona Hill, a former White House advisor, noted that Trump viewed his meetings with the Queen as a significant achievement, believing it signified that he had “made it in life.” Trump has often spoken of his admiration for the Queen, highlighting her sense of duty and the long-standing relationship between the US and the UK.
