Donald Trump criticized for breaking royal protocol

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Donald Trump’s UK visit hasn't been smooth. British activists flew a giant orange balloon of a “Trump Baby” in a diaper over the House of Parliament in a protest against the US president’s visit, and over 250,000 people marched against him in the streets of London.

Many have also taken to social media to blame Trump for not following the royal protocol, and some British media has criticized Trump’s breach in their headlines.

Several newspapers including The Independent and The Daily Mirror published stories about the ways that Trump actually broke royal etiquette.

Queen Elizabeth II awaits the arrival of US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania. /AP Photo

Trump was first condemned for keeping the 92-year-old Queen Elizabeth II waiting for over 10 minutes. In live footage, the Queen was seen checking the time while waiting for Trump’s arrival.

US President Donald Trump shakes her hand to greet Britian's Queen Elizabeth II instead of bows. /AP Photo

When Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived at Windsor Castle to greet the Queen at the welcome ceremony, Trump shook her hand instead of bowing.

The move immediately triggered arguments between the British and American netizens on social media.

“I am appalled that there wasn’t a bow from D Trump or a curtsy from Melania. Even the Queen’s children and Grandchildren pay her this honour. He definitely doesn’t deserve a State Dinner with his thinking that he is the most important person on Earth. No Donald, she is,” a Twitter user with a screen name called Patricia commented.

However, some netizens insisted that it be not necessary for Trump to bow in front of the Queen and called attention to Obama’s bows to Japanese Emperor Akihito and to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.

“He shook her hand and that’s quite accepted as protocol,” @dsteffey commented on Twitter as an answer to The Telegraph’s question “Did Donald Trump forget to bow to the Queen?"

With regard to this question, the official website of the British Royal Family, in fact, has an explanation for how to greet a member of the Royal Family.

“There are no obligatory codes of behavior when meeting The Queen or a member of the Royal Family, but many people wish to observe the traditional forms,” the website says and goes on to detail that, “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 criticism against the US President did not end there. Netizens also found fault with Trump during the inspection of the guard of honor, and posted about it on social media.

The Queen tentatively points the direction and asks Donald Trump to the left. /VCG Photo

Videos show that Donald Trump marched ahead of the Queen when they walked past the troops. The President looked out of step with the official choreography, causing the Queen to have to shuffle around him.

British newspaper The Daily Mail pointed out Trump’s ignorance of the protocols and called it "a serious breach". The newspaper cited the official royal etiquette guide rule that nobody should turn their back on, or walk in front of, a monarch.

“Theresa May backed out of the room last time she met the Queen in public,” wrote The Daily Mail. saying that even Prince Philip, the Queen’s husband, walks behind her in public.

The Queen stands with US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania as they listen to a band of guardsmen playing the US national anthem during a welcome ceremony at Windsor Castle on Friday. /AP Photo

Almost every part of Trump's four-day visit to the UK was criticized. Some netizens were even particular about Trump’s dress code, and The Sunday Times even had a story about how Prince Charles and Prince William avoided the President.

“This was not a state visit and the involvement of other members of the royal family would be different,” said The Times, citing a Buckingham Palace source.