Queen Elizabeth II epitomized discretion in her dealings with world leaders throughout her record-breaking 70-year reign. However, she may have let slip her opinion of one leader later in her life — President Donald Trump.
According to Monty Roberts, a close friend of the late Queen Elizabeth and subject of the new documentary The Cowboy and the Queen, the monarch was not fond of the former president. In the film, Roberts is shown watching a news clip of Trump and turning to his wife, Pat, to remark, "The Queen didn’t like him."
Roberts confirmed this sentiment in an interview with PEOPLE, stating, “The Queen said that.”
Trump was one of the 13 U.S. presidents the late Queen met during her historic reign. Elizabeth, who died two years ago on Sept. 8, 2022, hosted Trump in the U.K. twice during his presidency — once for a working trip in July 2018 and again for a state visit in June 2019. The two also connected at the NATO 70th anniversary reception at Buckingham Palace in December 2019.
The latest claim follows another made in a new biography which says the Queen found Trump “rude.”
In A Voyage Around the Queen, which is out now in the U.K. and will be released on Oct. 1 in the U.S., Craig Brown writes that Queen Elizabeth was put off by the way Trump acted towards her when they met.
"She also believed President Trump 'must have some sort of arrangement' with his wife Melania, or else why would she have remained married to him?” Brown wrote.
According to the book, however, Trump thought the visit went well, and he was confident that he was the monarch's favorite guest ever. "There are those that say they have never seen the Queen have a better time, a more animated time," Trump told Fox News, Brown noted.
The Queen's Relationship with Trump
The Queen’s alleged distaste for Trump comes as no surprise to those familiar with her personality. She was known for her diplomatic tact and her commitment to maintaining a neutral stance on political matters. However, she was also known to have strong opinions on certain matters. While she rarely expressed these opinions publicly, it seems that her feelings about Trump were an exception to this rule.
The Queen’s alleged dislike of Trump appears to be based on his behavior, rather than his policies. Brown suggests that the Queen found Trump “very rude” and that she disliked his “inability to stop looking over her shoulder,” as if he was searching for someone more interesting than her. This suggests that the Queen found Trump’s behavior to be disrespectful and possibly even offensive.
It is important to note that these are just allegations and that there is no way to know for sure how the Queen felt about Trump. However, the reports from Roberts and Brown, both of whom were close to the Queen, suggest that she did indeed have negative feelings towards him.
Trump's Response
Trump has responded to these allegations by claiming that the Queen found him to be “happy” and that she enjoyed her time with him. This statement is contradicted by the reports from Roberts and Brown. However, it is important to note that Trump has a history of making claims that are not supported by facts.
Trump’s claim that he was the Queen’s “favorite president” is also dubious. The Queen was known for her discretion and her avoidance of making public statements about her personal preferences. It is unlikely that she would have declared Trump to be her favorite president, even if she had privately held that opinion.
The Queen's Other Encounters
The Queen’s alleged dislike of Trump is not an isolated incident. Throughout her reign, she was known to have encounters with various world leaders, some of whom she found to be more agreeable than others. Her relationship with Trump, however, appears to have been particularly strained, likely due to his personality and his behavior.
Her interactions with presidents Obama and Ford, for example, were not without their moments of friction. Obama, while well-liked by the Queen, was known to keep her waiting on occasion, especially after the 2011 state banquet in her honor. While she reportedly found Obama’s wife, Michelle, endearing, and never publicly expressed disdain for Obama, she was clearly not above politely suggesting he get to bed after a particularly lengthy evening of socializing.
Ford, on the other hand, was reportedly caught off-guard by the Queen’s response to his selection of “That’s Why The Lady Is A Tramp” for their first dance at the White House banquet. Ford was incensed by the selection, while the Queen found the situation hilariously ironic. The Queen’s sense of humor is known to be dry, but she was also said to be more than a little amused by Ford’s overreaction to the song selection.
The Queen’s reaction to Trump, however, appears to have been far more serious than her reactions to Obama and Ford. The reports from Roberts and Brown suggest that she found Trump to be fundamentally disrespectful and that she disliked his behavior towards her. This suggests that Trump’s personality and his behavior were more than just a source of minor annoyance for the Queen. They were a source of genuine discomfort and, perhaps, even a source of personal offense.
Trump's Tribute
In his new book, "Save America", Donald Trump reflects on his presidency and includes a photograph of himself with Queen Elizabeth II during a state visit in 2019. In the caption, Trump writes, "They said I made the Queen happy and I said: ‘No, she made me happy!’" This statement, however, seems at odds with the recent claims that the Queen found Trump “very rude.”
In a larger context, Trump’s tribute to the Queen, while appearing to be heartfelt, might also be interpreted as an attempt to salvage his image. The book, "Save America", is filled with "iconic moments" from the Trump administration, including Trump’s interactions with various world leaders. While the book showcases Trump's major themes and accomplishments, it also seems to be a strategic move to paint a more favorable picture of his presidency.
The book's publication coincides with the recent claims that the Queen disliked Trump, which may have prompted him to include this particular photograph and caption. This move appears to be aimed at reinforcing the notion that he was well-regarded by the Queen, despite the contradicting reports.
The Queen's Legacy
Queen Elizabeth II's legacy will be remembered for her stoicism, her dedication to public service, and her unwavering commitment to her role as monarch. Her reign spanned decades of significant political and social change, and she remained a symbol of stability and continuity through it all. However, the reports about her dislike of Trump highlight a more human side to the Queen. They reveal that she was not immune to the failings and flaws of those around her. She was, after all, a human being with her own opinions and preferences.
The Queen’s alleged dislike of Trump, while perhaps surprising to some, is ultimately a testament to her enduring strength and resilience. She was a woman who was not afraid to speak her mind, even if it meant challenging the expectations of her position. Her legacy, therefore, goes beyond her royal duties and encompasses her humanity, her wit, and her unwavering commitment to her beliefs.
Queen's Philosophy on Encounters
The Queen's philosophy on encountering individuals, whether they were admired or controversial figures, stemmed from a deep understanding of her position and a commitment to her duty. She believed that her role was to meet everyone, regardless of their background or reputation, with grace and dignity. This approach, while often challenging, was a testament to her unwavering commitment to diplomacy and her ability to maintain a sense of decorum even in the face of adversity.
Her interactions with various world leaders, including those who were considered to be unsavory characters, reveal the Queen’s ability to navigate complex political landscapes with a unique blend of charm and fortitude. She understood that her role as monarch was not simply to preside over official ceremonies but to engage with the world on a global stage.
She recognized that the world is a complex place, filled with individuals who hold a wide range of beliefs and values. Her philosophy, therefore, was not about judging individuals but about understanding them, engaging with them, and finding a common ground upon which to build bridges.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Dignity
Ultimately, the Queen's legacy transcends the personal opinions she may have held about certain individuals. It is about her steadfast commitment to her duty, her ability to adapt to changing circumstances, and her unwavering dedication to her role as monarch.
Her life was a testament to the enduring power of diplomacy, the importance of maintaining decorum, and the necessity of treating everyone with respect, regardless of their stature. Her reign was a reminder that leadership, at its core, is about serving others and building bridges, rather than tearing them down.
The Queen’s alleged dislike of Trump may be a compelling anecdote, but it is ultimately just one small piece of a far larger and more complex legacy. She was a woman who faced countless challenges with grace and determination, and her enduring legacy is one of dignity, service, and unwavering commitment to her duty.
