Why Melania Trump Didn’t Curtsy to the Royals at the Start of the State Visit

The First Lady of the United States is currently accompanying her husband, President Donald Trump, on his second state visit to the U.K. The pair did not observe traditional forms of greeting upon arrival.

First Lady Melania Trump and President Donald Trump arrived in Windsor, England, on Wednesday, September 17, to begin their state visit to the United Kingdom. They were received by Prince William and Princess Catherine as they disembarked from Marine One.

During the greetings, many observers noticed that Melania did not curtsy and Trump did not bow while shaking hands with Kate and William, nor did they do so when they met with Queen Camilla and King Charles III. Royal fans began to wonder if the couple had broken protocol — but this is not the case.

Here's why: Although members of the public, politicians, and more junior royals are expected to observe traditional greeting etiquette when meeting the King, Queen or other senior members of the Royal Family, visiting heads of state are not required to do so.

As the Royal Family's official website states, "There are no obligatory codes of behaviour - just courtesy. However, many people wish to observe the traditional forms of greeting."

It then goes on to explain, "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."