President Donald Trump began his state visit to the United Kingdom with a closely watched handshake that immediately drew attention. As he greeted King Charles III at Windsor Castle, observers noticed his right hand once again covered in makeup, a detail that has become a recurring point of curiosity.
The president, now 79 years old, touched down at Stansted Airport near London on Tuesday evening. He spent the night at Windsor Castle, reportedly in separate quarters from First Lady Melania Trump. By Wednesday morning, Trump was prepared for a full schedule of royal ceremonies, beginning with the official welcome hosted by the British royal family.
Upon arrival, Trump was met by King Charles, Queen Camilla, the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, and Prince William. Extending his right hand, often seen bruised and concealed with layers of concealer, Trump exchanged handshakes with the senior royals. Cameras captured every moment as the meeting officially set the tone for his visit.
King Charles, who is 76 and three years younger than Trump, walked with the president through the grounds of the centuries-old Windsor estate. Their stroll included several traditional encounters designed for the media and public view. The first to greet Trump were the Prince and Princess of Wales, followed by the King and Queen who received him at the castle entrance.
Shortly after, Trump was invited to inspect the Guard of Honour. A Scots Guard delivered a formal sword salute before Trump and the First Lady joined King Charles and Queen Camilla in a horse-drawn carriage procession. The scene resembled a fairytale pageant and represented the height of royal hospitality during his second day in Britain.
The handshake was not the only moment to gain attention. Trump’s physical movements had already been the subject of conversation the day before his arrival. While walking between Marine One and Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, he appeared unsteady and wandered off course to the point where cameras briefly lost sight of him.
When asked if the stumble was connected to a suspected circulation problem in his legs, White House communications director Steven Cheung responded sharply to The Daily Beast. “You must be f—ing blind or stupid, because that was a perfect walk,” Cheung said, brushing off any health concerns.
The president’s hand has also drawn frequent scrutiny. At public events, he often hides it under a table or relies on makeup to cover up bruising. The incident at Windsor Castle was not the first time his appearance sparked speculation. In recent weeks, his walk and posture have repeatedly made headlines.
Last month in Alaska, Trump drew attention for zig-zagging down a red carpet prepared for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Only days later, a video surfaced from one of his golf outings where he seemed to struggle moving his legs with normal ease. Both moments fueled further questions about his health and mobility.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has previously attempted to ease speculation about his hands. She described the bruising as nothing more than minor irritation, caused by frequent handshakes combined with Trump’s routine use of aspirin for cardiovascular prevention. According to the White House, there is no reason for concern.
However, another issue has not been formally addressed. At a 9/11 memorial service last week, Trump appeared with a noticeably drooping facial expression. The White House declined to comment on that observation, leaving room for continued public debate about his overall health.
Despite the focus on these physical details, the official visit continues with an emphasis on diplomacy and ceremony. Trump’s encounters with King Charles and the royal family were carefully staged to highlight the long-standing relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom. Yet, as has often been the case during his presidency, the spotlight has just as often shifted toward Trump’s appearance and physical condition as to his political agenda.
For now, the administration remains firm that the president is healthy enough to carry out his duties. Still, the images from Windsor Castle and his recent public outings suggest that questions about his hand, his walk, and his overall vitality are unlikely to disappear anytime soon.
