Donald Trump Just Tried His Trademark Handshake on King Charles

By Alice GibbsSenior Life and Trends ReporterShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberSee more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.President Donald Trump appeared to deploy his well‑documented firm handshake while greeting King Charles III at the White House on Monday, as the British monarch began a formal state visit to the United States.Footage from the South Portico shows Trump gripping the king’s hand during their greeting with a strong pulling motion—a handshake style the president has consistently exhibited during public meetings with foreign leaders. While brief, the exchange formed part of a carefully choreographed diplomatic reception marking the start of Charles’ first official state visit to the U.S. as monarch....Why King Charles Is in WashingtonCharles and Queen Camilla arrived in Washington, D.C., on April 27 for a four‑day state visit aimed at reinforcing the U.S.-U. K. relationship at a moment of heightened political tension linked to the conflict involving Iran and broader disagreements between the two governments.The visit coincides with preparations for the 250th anniversary of American independence, lending additional historical resonance to the trip. It also represents Charles’ most-significant diplomatic engagement with the United States since ascending to the throne in 2022....In keeping with the conventions established during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, the king’s itinerary emphasizes ceremony and symbolism rather than policy intervention. The program includes meetings at the White House, a formal garden party hosted by the British Embassy, and a scheduled address to a joint session of Congress—an appearance that will make Charles only the second British monarch ever to speak before Congress, following his mother in 1991.Trump’s Handshake—and Why It Stands OutTrump’s handshake has long attracted attention in diplomatic settings, not because of any single encounter but because of its consistent and recognizable characteristics across years of meetings with foreign leaders.Across interactions with allies and adversaries alike, Trump has repeatedly greeted counterparts with a firm grip, an extended hold, and, at times, a subtle pulling motion toward his own stance. This approach has frequently been described as a "signature" or "trademark" feature of his public interactions, setting him apart from the more neutral and fleeting handshakes that typically define diplomatic protocol....Notable examples include Trump’s greetings with then‑Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, both of whom were observed adjusting their posture or stance as the prolonged handshake unfolded, turning what are usually transitional moments into prolonged photo opportunities. In 2018, Trump shared an unusually emphatic handshake with the president of Portugal, which prompted comparisons to his earlier interactions with European leaders.Trump has exhibited similar behavior in meetings with members of European royal families. During the 2025 NATO summit, Trump’s physical positioning and greeting style again drew attention as a brief exchange with King Willem‑Alexander of the Netherlands became one of the most closely examined moments of the visit.The most frequently cited precedent remains Trump’s interactions with French President Emmanuel Macron. During Macron’s 2018 visit to Washington, D.C., the two leaders…

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