During her remarkable 70-year reign, Queen Elizabeth II maintained her reputation for discretion and diplomacy, rarely sharing personal opinions about world leaders. Yet a new biography reveals that she may have been far more candid about Donald Trump, offering a surprisingly sharp perspective on his marriage to Melania Trump.
Craig Brown’s latest book, A Voyage Around The Queen, claims that the monarch made a pointed six-word remark regarding the Trumps just weeks after their first encounter. According to the book, serialized in the Daily Mail, the Queen speculated privately that Donald and Melania must have “some sort of arrangement,” subtly questioning the nature of their relationship. The biography also notes that she reportedly found Trump’s habit of scanning the room for others “more interesting” rather irksome, hinting at her quiet disapproval of his behavior.
Brown’s account highlights that the Queen met and entertained numerous controversial leaders over her lifetime, from Bashar al-Assad and Robert Mugabe to Idi Amin, Emperor Hirohito, Vladimir Putin, and Donald Trump. While she often maintained a polite exterior, the book suggests that she occasionally shared candid thoughts with close confidants after such visits. In Trump’s case, she described him as “very rude” during a private lunch, taking particular issue with his constant glances over her shoulder and questioning why Melania would stay married to him otherwise.
Donald Trump first met the Queen in 2018, a year after being sworn in as the 45th President of the United States. His arrival in London sparked massive protests, including the now-famous “Trump baby” balloon, which floated over the city with official approval. Despite the planned state visit being officially labeled a “working visit” to minimize tensions, Trump still enjoyed a personal audience with the Queen at Windsor Castle. The meeting included afternoon tea and an inspection of a guard of honor, though no other senior royals were present.
However, the visit wasn’t without controversy. Reports indicate that Trump kept the then-92-year-old Queen waiting for ten minutes in sweltering 80-degree heat. Observers also noted that he stepped ahead of her during the guard review, causing her to pause and reposition. Buckingham Palace sources later emphasized that Trump was polite and cordial toward staff, maintaining a professional demeanor despite the awkward moments.
Trump returned to the UK a year later for a formal state visit, this time accompanied by his four children and their spouses at a State Banquet. By all accounts, his behavior during this second meeting was significantly improved, and the interactions were smoother and more respectful. The Queen and Trump also attended a commemorative event in Portsmouth for the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings, reinforcing the public image of diplomatic decorum.
Despite these complexities, Trump frequently boasted about his relationship with the Queen. In a Fox News interview, he recalled laughing and enjoying time with her, claiming palace aides remarked that she “hasn’t had so much fun in 25 years.” He emphasized that their rapport was strong, insisting that he knew the Queen well and that the United States had a solid relationship with the United Kingdom.
Brown’s biography, however, sheds light on the private impressions the Queen may have held behind closed doors, revealing her sharp wit and candid observations of one of the most controversial figures she hosted. Her subtle commentary on Trump and Melania provides a rare glimpse into the monarch’s personal reflections, reminding the world that even the most stoic figures have private judgments that rarely make it into public view.
This account adds a fascinating dimension to the history of Trump’s interactions with world leaders, showing that even royal diplomacy often carries a hidden layer of personal opinion, humor, and sometimes quiet critique.
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