Donald Trump has come under fire for comments he made about the Princess of Wales during a state dinner on his second official visit to the UK.
The dinner, held on 17 September, was hosted by senior members of the royal family including King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Princess Kate. Trump, 79, is the first U.S. president to receive a second state visit, a move already considered unusual in diplomatic circles.
Known for his bombastic and off-the-cuff speaking style, Trump struck a different tone in front of the royal audience but still managed to spark criticism. Standing beside King Charles and reading from notes, he praised William as “a remarkable son” and told him he would have “unbelievable success in future.”
Turning to Kate, Trump added: “So radiant and so healthy, so beautiful, it’s a really great honour, thank you.”
The “healthy” remark was widely interpreted as a reference to the princess’s recent battle with cancer. Kate revealed her diagnosis in March 2024 and confirmed she was in remission in January this year.
Reaction to Trump’s choice of words was swift. Social media users called the comments “wildly inappropriate,” with one writing: “It’s good to see you looking healthy. That’s it. Full stop.” Others described the moment as “cringe-inducing,” while some noted King Charles appeared to laugh at his remarks.
Critics also highlighted that Trump referred to only “one son” of the King, which many took as a subtle dig at Prince Harry.
This is not the first time Trump has been accused of breaching royal etiquette. During his previous state visit in 2018, he was criticised for walking in front of the late Queen Elizabeth II.