Royal household staff are no strangers to dealing with eccentric, demanding, and often clueless aristocrats. Take King Charles, for example—reports suggest he has a servant whose sole job is to squeeze toothpaste onto his toothbrush. Or the time he supposedly let out a full-blown shriek upon encountering clingfilm for the first time in his mid-50s. And let’s not forget Prince Andrew’s infamous meltdowns, particularly when his collection of teddy bears wasn’t arranged to his liking.
Suffice it to say, the palace staff are seasoned pros at keeping their composure. But even they might be bracing themselves for a new level of chaos if Donald Trump sets foot in London again.
Now that Trump is settling back into the White House, he’s already considering his first state visit. After a conversation with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, he hinted at an upcoming trip, saying, “It could be Saudi Arabia, it could be U.K. … Traditionally, it could be U.K.”
That vague statement was apparently enough to send Starmer straight to the phone, instructing Buckingham Palace to start prepping—because nothing says “urgent diplomatic planning” like ensuring the silverware is extra polished. But while the palace is well-versed in catering to the whims of entitled elites, handling Trump’s demands—likely fueled by a steady stream of Diet Coke and cheeseburgers—might be another challenge altogether.
Trump’s last state visit to the UK in 2019 was nothing short of eventful, and not necessarily in a good way. Royal watchers cringed as he repeatedly turned his back on Queen Elizabeth II—one of the cardinal sins of royal protocol—while Melania opted for warm hugs instead of the customary curtsy when greeting Camilla. To be fair, America fought a whole war to avoid bowing to a monarchy, so the lack of deference was somewhat on-brand.
But what reportedly irritated the Queen the most wasn’t the broken protocol—it was Trump’s chronic lateness. Known for being a stickler for punctuality, Queen Elizabeth was said to be less than pleased when the Trumps arrived late for their scheduled tea at Windsor Castle, leaving the then-92-year-old monarch waiting in the summer heat. One can only imagine her discreet but pointed glances at her watch.
Beyond Buckingham Palace, Trump’s presence in London sparked public backlash. Protesters famously flew a massive inflatable balloon of Trump depicted as a diaper-wearing baby, a move that clearly got under his skin. He later lamented, “I used to love London as a city … but when they make you feel unwelcome, why would I stay there?”
His visit also reignited tensions with London Mayor Sadiq Khan, one of his most vocal critics. The two have traded insults for years, with Khan condemning Trump’s policies and rhetoric, while Trump has called Khan a “stone cold loser” and “dumb and incompetent.” Given their history, another visit would likely add more fuel to the fire.
If Trump does return to London, another potential source of friction could be King Charles, an outspoken advocate for climate action. Considering Trump’s stance on environmental policies—not to mention his fondness for fossil fuels—the two are unlikely to see eye to eye. That said, Trump has previously spoken highly of Prince William, even calling him “really, really handsome.” Maybe the palace should strategically position William front and center to keep things smooth.
All in all, if Trump books a flight to Heathrow, expect royal headaches, political drama, and—if history is any indication—another round of public protests.