Overview

• Author Robert Hardman cites Royal Household accounts saying Trump arrived on time in 2018 and was correctly invited to walk ahead of Queen Elizabeth during the guard inspection.
• Staff quoted in the book describe a cordial meeting in which the Queen and Trump bonded over Scottish roots and say he was on his best behavior.
• The new account contradicts an earlier book by Craig Brown that claimed the Queen privately called Trump “very rude.”
• Widely shared footage of Trump appearing to step in front of the Queen helped cement a public impression of a breach that the new testimony rejects.
• The debate resurfaces as Trump prepares for a second UK state visit on September 17–19 at Windsor, with reports saying Melania Trump has been planning details such as wardrobe to avoid past optics issues.