Royal fans have taken to social media to criticize Queen Camilla after footage appeared to show her brushing off Kate Middleton during a reception for U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trump and his wife, Melania, are in the U.K. for their second official state visit, spending two days attending a series of high-profile royal events. While most of the receptions have been held behind closed doors to avoid demonstrations, one private gathering has sparked headlines after a brief but telling moment was caught on camera.
The tense exchange
In a short clip shared online, Kate is seen approaching Camilla and Melania to join their conversation, with King Charles, Prince William, and Trump visible in the background. The interaction lasts only a few seconds, but eagle-eyed viewers picked up on what they described as a distinctly cold response from the Queen.
Camilla can be seen touching Kate’s arm and saying something to her, after which the Princess of Wales awkwardly steps back and walks away. While the audio is unclear, the body language alone was enough to stir speculation.
Social media reacts
Royal watchers wasted no time offering their interpretations of the exchange.
“Wow, the look Camilla gave Kate. She is not a fan,” one user wrote on X, while another joked: “Ok you can go now, the grown ups need to talk. Cammy is no joke.”
Others suggested the Queen was making a point about hierarchy. “Camilla had already shown Kate who’s boss,” one comment read. Another added: “Someone must have told her to flex her muscles, but Camilla wasn’t having it and she rightly cut her down.”
One viewer even speculated Camilla may have told Kate to “shoo,” calling the moment “a blunt dismissal.”
Comparisons to Meghan and Harry
Ok you can go now, the grown ups need to talk 😂 Cammy is no joke 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/g9jaMqrdvx
— SK 💃🏾🕺 (@Rimmesfk) September 17, 2025
While some followers found the clip amusing, others were unsettled, drawing comparisons to the treatment of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after their exit from royal life.
“The nastiness that exists within that family is unreal,” one user wrote. “Harry was lucky to get away. Even without Meghan in the picture, he truly escaped.”
Controversial backdrop
The frosty moment unfolded during a visit already surrounded by controversy. Earlier this week, police arrested four people after an image of Trump alongside convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was projected onto Windsor Castle.
With tensions running high both inside and outside palace walls, the Camilla–Kate exchange has only added fuel to ongoing debates about dynamics within the royal family.