Prince Harry found himself in an awkward position yesterday as the US President arrived at Buckingham Palace yesterday as part of the State Visit.
There has been a lot of controversy surrounding President Trump and the Duchess of Sussex as of late. It's common knowledge that before joining the Royal Family last year Meghan was a critic of the President. She once suggested she would move to Canada after Mr Trump took power. Trump hit back in an interview with The Sun which made waves around the world. In the interview he branded Meghan as “nasty” because she called him “divisive” and “misogynistic” during his 2016 presidential campaign. But the President also heaped praise on Meghan in an interview on Saturday and said she would do an 'excellent' job as a Royal.
Meghan avoided an embarrassing meeting with Mr Trump as she only gave birth to her and Harry’s first child Archie four weeks ago.
Yesterday, Harry joined Ivanka Trump and led her around Buckingham Palace's Picture Gallery for a display of US-themed artefacts in the afternoon.
But the Queen's grandson quickly disappeared into the background and did not follow other members of the Royal Family as they walked round the exhibition with the American leader and his party. This behaviour did not escape the eagle eyes of the press.
An onlooker at the gallery said: “ Prince Harry certainly appeared to keep his distance from the president and the First Lady, during the walk round of the royal collection.
“He stayed at the back of the room for the entire time, rocking back on his heels looking totally uninterested.”
Palace aides insisted the viewing was “not a structured procedure”.
Royal commentator Ingrid Seward said: “Harry did look grumpy and as if he didn’t want to be there. He appears to be behaving in a rather immature way and letting his personal animosity take over from his natural good manners. Whatever his personal feelings, it’s his duty to support the Queen regardless and take a tip from his grandmother who has never allowed her personal feelings to interfere with her duty."
An onlooker said: “Harry was the third most senior royal in the room after the Queen and his father, but didn’t seem to take any part in his royal duties.”
The Prince had attended a lunch with the President and his entourage before the gallery trip, but he was noticeably absent from the State Banquet staged in honour of President Trump. The Queen and President Trump seemed to be having a great time!
