Despite Donald Trump’s claims of a warm relationship with the late Queen Elizabeth II during his 2018 and 2019 U.K. state visits, a new biography suggests a contrasting narrative. The book, which was reviewed by media sources in August 2024, reveals that the Queen thought Trump was “very rude” during his visits.
The biography, entitled “A Voyage Around the Queen” and penned by British journalist Craig Brown, alleges that Queen Elizabeth expressed concerns about Trump’s behavior to a lunch guest shortly after his first visit to the U.K. Brown suggests the Queen was particularly irritated by Trump’s habit of looking over her shoulder during their conversations, as if he was seeking someone more interesting.
During Trump’s 2018 visit to Windsor Castle, he caused controversy by making the Queen wait and walking ahead of her, both of which are breaches of royal protocol. According to Brown, these actions were not well received by the Queen, who was known for her respect for tradition and etiquette. Buckingham Palace, however, has not issued any public comment on the claims in the biography, in keeping with the royal family’s usual policy of silence on such matters.
In addition to these protocol issues, Brown’s book also reveals that the Queen speculated about the nature of Trump’s relationship with his wife, Melania. The Queen reportedly found it perplexing why Melania would stay married to Trump, suggesting there must be some sort of arrangement between them. This personal observation provides a seldom-seen look into Queen Elizabeth’s private thoughts, which she generally kept away from public scrutiny.
Trump has vehemently denied the claims made in Brown’s book. Recalling his 2019 state visit, Trump remembered laughing and having a good time with the Queen, claiming that her staff even commented that she hadn’t enjoyed herself that much in 25 years. He described their interactions as remarkable and stated that they shared an immediate connection. Furthermore, Trump asserts that his relationship with the Queen was strong, and that she appeared more animated in his company than with other world leaders.
However, Brown’s biography paints a less flattering picture of Trump from the perspective of Queen Elizabeth. While she was always a gracious host in public, the book portrays her as privately expressing disapproval of certain foreign leaders she met during her reign, including Trump.
A former Buckingham Palace official, complicating matters further, told the New York Post that the monarch considered Trump and his family to be “gracious” guests. The source refuted Brown’s assertions, insisting that the Queen prioritized making her guests feel comfortable over strictly adhering to protocol.
Following Queen Elizabeth’s death in 2022, Trump paid tribute to her, describing her as a remarkable woman and reminiscing about the time he and Melania spent with her. Trump stated that he and his wife would always cherish their time with her, remembering her warm friendship, wisdom, and unique sense of humor.
The true nature of Queen Elizabeth’s personal opinions on Trump may remain a mystery, but Brown’s biography offers a rare insight into the thoughts of the traditionally reserved monarch. The conflicting narratives highlight the enigmatic nature of Queen Elizabeth, a woman known for her discretion and neutrality throughout her extensive reign.
