U.S. President Donald Trump committed a huge gaffe while meeting with Queen Elizabeth II during his visit to the United Kingdom.
Amid massive protests that drew tens of thousands of demonstrators, Trump met with the Queen at Windsor Castle just outside of London on Friday, July 13.
While reviewing the Queen’s Guard however, Trump committed a critical faux pas.
The meeting between the U.S. President and First Lady Melania Trump with the Queen went cordially at first, with the 92-year-old monarch welcoming the president and his wife with handshakes and a smile as the Queen’s Guards marched and played the U.S. national anthem.
However, as the president and the Queen reviewed the Queen’s Guard before strolling around and entering the historic fortress, Trump walked directly in front of the Queen, inadvertently blocking her for a moment.
It is also considered very rude to turn ones back on the Queen when meeting with her.
The gaffe broke Royal protocol, which calls for the Queen herself to always lead the way. First Lady Melania Trump also reportedly broke another Royal rule herself after failing to curtsy when greeting Queen Elizabeth II.
Twitter users were quick to criticize the President on the social media platform, with some users blasting him as ‘ill mannered’ and ignorant’.
PR consultant and commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said that the President had broken Royal protocol and came off as impolite during his first visit with the Queen in the UK, stating: ‘It was inappropriate behavior’.