A brief exchange between Melania Trump and Queen Camilla during last night’s state banquet has divided opinion online, with some viewers convinced the former First Lady appeared to snub the Queen Consort.
Donald Trump, 79, and Melania, 55, are currently in the UK for a two-day visit, spending time with King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The couple also dined alongside Prince William and Kate Middleton at the lavish banquet, where Trump praised the royals warmly in his speech.
Speaking to 160 guests on September 17, the former president said: “His Majesty has also raised a remarkable son in His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales. Really amazing. We’ve gotten to know you and I think you’re going to have an unbelievable success in future.”
He added of William’s wife: “Melania and I are delighted to visit again with Prince William and to see Her Royal Highness, Princess Catherine, so radiant and so healthy, and so beautiful. It’s really a great honour, thank you.”
Trump was seated beside the Princess of Wales for the meal, while Melania sat opposite next to Prince William, with Queen Camilla also at the table.
It was during dinner that a short clip, later shared widely on TikTok, showed Camilla appearing to lean toward Melania as if speaking. Melania, however, did not respond and instead continued her conversation with William.
Online reaction quickly split. One viewer joked: “Melania ignoring her just like she does with Trump.” Another was less amused: “I don’t care who you are, show some respect to other human beings… at least be civil-friendly and cheerful.” Others expressed sympathy for Camilla, with one writing: “Poor Camilla, she’s talking to herself.”
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But just as many leapt to Melania’s defense, arguing that the footage was misleading. Several pointed out that Camilla may have been addressing William, who was out of camera view. “She is talking to someone else, in case you didn’t notice,” one user noted. Another added: “Melania was not ignoring Queen Camilla; she was talking to Prince William.”
With the clip spreading across social media, debate continues as to whether it was a genuine snub or simply a case of bad camera angles at an otherwise glittering royal evening.