At a Glance
- A new biography of Queen Elizabeth II by Craig Brown reveals her private thoughts on Donald Trump.
- The biography, titled “A Voyage Around the Queen,” is being serialized in The Daily Mail.
- The Queen reportedly found Trump “very rude” and disliked his behavior during his visit to the UK.
- She particularly noted his habit of looking over her shoulder as if searching for more interesting people.
- Trump had a different perspective, claiming the Queen enjoyed his company and they had a strong connection.
- Buckingham Palace has not commented on the claims made in Brown’s biography.
Biography Unveils Queen’s Thoughts
A recent biography by Craig Brown, entitled A Voyage Around the Queen, sheds light on Queen Elizabeth II’s candid opinion of Donald Trump. Following his state visit to the UK, the late monarch reportedly shared her thoughts with an acquaintance at a private lunch. The Queen described Trump as “very rude,” particularly noting his lack of focus during their interactions as he continually glanced over her shoulder as if trying to spot someone more captivating.
The biography, currently being serialized in The Daily Mail, delves into other private revelations about the monarch’s interactions with various world leaders.
Impact of Trump’s Behavior
Craig Brown’s account highlights the Queen’s discomfort during Trump’s visit. Known for her discretion, Her Majesty rarely voiced strong opinions about visiting heads of state. However, Trump’s behavior was an exception. She found his habit of looking over her shoulder during conversations to be particularly disrespectful. At a lunch a few weeks after Trump’s visit, she confided in a guest about her impressions.
Buckingham Palace has not officially commented on the claims made in Brown’s biography.
Speculation on Personal Relationships
In addition to her critique of Trump’s behavior, the Queen speculated about his relationship with his wife, Melania. She pondered whether there might be an arrangement between the two, questioning why Melania would remain married to Trump. This speculation further illustrates the Queen’s rare willingness to share her personal thoughts on world leaders.
Steven Cheung, communications director for Donald Trump’s re-election campaign, dismissed the claims in the biography as “fake news.” He argued that the book relies on fabricated stories to sell copies.
Differing Perspectives
President Trump, meanwhile, has expressed deep admiration for Queen Elizabeth II. After her passing in September 2022, Trump praised her wisdom, humor, and their memorable time together.
He claimed that the Queen enjoyed his company and that they had a strong connection. “There are those that say they have never seen the Queen have a better time, a more animated time,” Trump once said, recounting their interactions.
Historical Context of State Visits
During Trump’s first visit to the UK in July 2018, he had tea with the Queen at Windsor Castle. The visit, classified as a “working visit,” sparked protests and was marked by breaches of royal protocol, including Trump keeping the Queen waiting and walking in front of her during an inspection. Despite these awkward moments, Trump’s state dinner at Buckingham Palace in 2019 was more successful.The biography, A Voyage Around the Queen, also points out that the Queen has hosted numerous controversial world leaders in the past, such as Bashar al-Assad, Robert Mugabe, Idi Amin, Emperor Hirohito, and Vladimir Putin. Despite not always finding the company of these leaders “convivial,” she fulfilled her diplomatic duties with quiet resilience.
