The recent state visit of US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to the UK, centered around a grand state banquet at Windsor Castle, became a focal point for various discussions, ranging from fashion choices to subtle diplomatic gestures and intriguing royal interactions. The visit, marking Donald Trump's second state visit to the UK, was characterized by both formal engagements and moments of perceived protocol deviations, bringing together high-ranking dignitaries and members of the British Royal Family.

One of the most talked-about aspects of the state banquet, held on Wednesday, September 17, was First Lady Melania Trump's striking bright yellow Carolina Herrera gown, paired with a pink belt. While she accessorized elegantly with turquoise dangling earrings and styled her hair in loose waves, many critics swiftly commented on the dress's daring off-the-shoulder style, which exposed her shoulders. This choice stood in stark contrast to the more conservative attire typically favored by women in the Royal Family for such formal events. For instance, Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, wore a full-length, hand-embroidered gold lace evening coat by Phillipa Lepley over a silk crepe gown, while Queen Camilla opted for a floor-length Royal blue Fiona Clare gown, adorned with a sapphire and diamond tiara and necklace. Fashion etiquette expert Lucy Hulme noted that guests are expected to adhere to specific dress codes when meeting royals, citing Royal Ascot rules which stipulate covered shoulders for women. Despite the criticism from some quarters, other observers defended Melania's choice, suggesting the yellow color, positioned opposite Camilla's blue on the color wheel, was a calculated move to draw attention, with some commentators praising her "stand-out amazing" look.

Beyond fashion, President Trump's speech at the state banquet also generated considerable attention due to a perceived "subtle dig" at Prince Harry. While delivering effusive praise for the Royal Family, Trump specifically singled out King Charles III for raising a "remarkable son" in Prince William, remarking warmly on William's future success and describing Princess Catherine as "so radiant, so healthy, so beautiful." Noticeably absent from this tribute was Prince Harry, who, having stepped back from royal duties, now resides in California with Meghan Markle. This omission led to speculation that Trump was subtly referencing Harry's strained relationship with the monarchy, adding an "extra edge" to his speech. Throughout his address, Trump also lauded King Charles for preserving "the glorious and unique character of this kingdom" and expressed his deep respect for Britain, calling the visit "one of the highest honours of my life." King Charles, in turn, highlighted the strong "special relationship" between the UK and US, humorously recalling past attempts by the press to marry him into the Nixon family. Both leaders also praised the strong bond between their countries in supporting Ukraine against Russia.

Body language expert Bruce Durham observed another intriguing dynamic involving Princess Kate and Donald Trump during the banquet. He suggested that Kate's "regal" and "alpha" presence, characterized by her upright posture, seemed to render Trump into a "subservient position." Durham likened Trump's stance to a "tortoise position," where he appeared to retract his neck and raise his shoulders, a physical manifestation of a beta position. This observation was particularly notable given Trump's usual alpha demeanor, leading Durham to conclude that either Kate had a significant effect on him, or an internal narrative caused this unusual deferential posture. Kate, who had recently revealed she was in remission from cancer, beamed at the President during his compliments and rose to lift her glass in his honor.

Earlier in the visit, during the official welcome, an uncomfortable interaction was observed between Queen Camilla and Kate Middleton. As Kate engaged in a pleasant conversation with First Lady Melania Trump upon their arrival at Windsor Estate via helicopter, Camilla appeared to make a sweeping hand gesture, seemingly instructing Kate to move. Kate complied, bidding farewell to Melania and moving to stand beside her husband, Prince William, before Camilla and Melania briefly resumed their conversation. This occurred as the group was lining up for horse-drawn carriages to transport them to Windsor Castle, where lunch awaited.

Moreover, the initial welcome saw its own minor challenges. A lip reader, Nicola J Hickling, noted that Princess Kate, dressed in a burgundy Emilia Wickstead dress and matching Jane Taylor hat, experienced a common fashion predicament: her heels sinking into the grass while walking gracefully across the Windsor Castle lawn. William, showing concern, reportedly asked, "Are you okay though?" Despite this minor mishap, Kate maintained her elegant composure, and the meeting with the Trumps was reported to have gone smoothly, with Kensington Palace confirming a "warm and friendly" encounter.

A particularly surprising detail to emerge from the visit was the revelation of a "rare grin" from First Lady Melania Trump while greeting King Charles. Melania, known for her composed demeanor, radiated joy upon reconnecting with Charles, whom she considers a "pen pal." In her 2024 autobiography, she disclosed their long-standing friendship, which began during their first encounter in New York in 2005. They are believed to maintain their bond through traditional written letters, connecting over shared interests in architecture, horticulture, and creative arts. Their mutual passion for environmental causes further strengthened their relationship during the Trumps' 2019 official visit to Britain, with Melania recounting an "interesting conversation about his deep-rooted commitment to environmental conservation" during the state banquet.

The visit commenced with Prince William and Kate Middleton welcoming the Trumps' helicopter at the Windsor Estate's Walled Garden, escorting them to King Charles and Queen Camilla outside Victoria House. A procession of horse-drawn carriages, accompanied by rows of soldiers, sailors, and aviators, transported the dignitaries to the castle. King Charles and President Trump shared convivial moments, chatting and joking throughout the day, with the King even gesturing for Trump to step ahead of him during a troops review, a gesture that avoided a breach of protocol unlike a previous incident in 2019 with Queen Elizabeth. The visit reinforced the strong bond between the UK and US, particularly in their shared support for Ukraine against Russia, culminating a busy yet significant diplomatic engagement.