Royal watchers love a good scandal. Especially when it involves a silent protest, a viral video, and a princess known for her "no-nonsense" attitude. If you've spent any time on the internet over the last few years, you’ve probably seen that clip. You know the one—Princess Anne shrugging at Queen Elizabeth while the Trumps stand nearby. It’s been meme-ified into oblivion as the ultimate act of royal resistance.
But honestly? What Princess Anne think of Donald Trump is likely a lot more complicated—and a lot more professional—than a ten-second video clip suggests. To understand the relationship, we have to look past the Twitter headlines and into the rigid, often misunderstood world of royal protocol.
The Shrug Heard ‘Round the World
It was 2019. Buckingham Palace was hosting a reception for NATO’s 70th anniversary. The room was packed with world leaders. In the middle of the receiving line stood Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, and Camilla.
As Donald and Melania Trump finished their greeting, the Queen turned her head toward the doorway and gestured to her daughter, Anne. The Princess Royal responded with a wide-eyed look, a shrug, and a laugh.
The internet exploded.
People claimed she was refusing to meet the President. They said she was being "scolded" by her mother. The "Princess Anne shrug" became a symbol for anyone who wasn't a fan of the 45th President.
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What the Cameras Actually Missed
Here’s the thing about royal reporting: the drama is usually less exciting than the reality. According to Valentine Low, a veteran royal reporter for The Times who was actually in the room, the shrug had nothing to do with a snub.
Basically, the Queen was looking to see which world leader was next in line to be greeted. Anne was standing back because she wasn't part of the official welcoming party—that was reserved for the then-Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.
When the Queen looked her way, Anne realized there was nobody left in the queue. She raised her hands and reportedly said, "It's just me!" followed by, "And this lot," while gesturing to the royal household staff behind her.
It wasn't a political statement. It was a daughter telling her mom the "work" part of the evening was over.
The Hot Mic Moment in the Green Drawing Room
Even if the shrug was a misunderstanding, Anne didn't exactly distance herself from the "cool kids' table" later that night. A "hot mic" video captured a group of world leaders—including Justin Trudeau, Emmanuel Macron, and Boris Johnson—seemingly gossiping about Trump's lengthy impromptu press conferences.
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Guess who was right in the middle of that circle? Princess Anne.
While she wasn't the one caught speaking on the recording, she was actively engaged in the conversation. In the world of diplomacy, being part of the "gossip circle" is a choice. It suggests a certain level of comfort with the critics of the administration at the time.
How Does Anne Actually View the Trumps?
Princess Anne is famously the "hardest working royal." She does hundreds of engagements a year. She’s been doing this since the 1970s. Because of that, she has a very specific "work mode."
She doesn't do "fandom" and she doesn't do "feuds."
If you look at her history, she treats presidents like she treats everyone else: with a brisk, efficient professionalism. When the Trumps returned to the UK for a state visit in 2025, the interactions were formal and followed the script.
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Comparing Trump to Other Presidents
Anne has met almost every U.S. President of the last half-century.
- The Obamas: She was polite, though the media focused more on the Queen’s bond with Michelle.
- The Bidens: Again, professional and distant.
- The Trumps: The media scrutiny was 10x higher, but her actual behavior didn't deviate much from her standard operating procedure.
She isn't someone who wears her heart on her sleeve. In her rare interviews—like the one she gave to HBO for her 70th birthday—she emphasized the importance of the monarchy as a "stable" force that stays out of politics.
Why the Public Wants There to be Tension
We project a lot onto Anne. We love her because she wears the same suit from 1980 and doesn't care about your opinion. Because she’s "the tough one," we want her to be the one who stands up to controversial figures.
But "Princess Anne think of Donald Trump" is a question that assumes she has a personal opinion she’d actually share. She likely views him as a head of state that her country needs to maintain a relationship with—nothing more, nothing less.
Key Takeaways for Royal Watchers
If you’re trying to decode the body language of the Princess Royal, keep these three things in mind:
- Protocol is King: Anne is a stickler for the rules. If she isn't in a receiving line, it’s because she isn't supposed to be there, not because she’s hiding.
- The "Shrug" was Logistics: It’s been debunked by the reporters on the ground. She was telling the Queen the line was empty.
- Silence is her Shield: Unlike younger royals who might hint at their leanings through social media or specific charities, Anne remains the ultimate "gray man" of the family.
Want to get a better handle on how the royals handle these high-stakes visits? Start by looking at the official Court Circular. It lists exactly who met whom and for how long. It’s dry, sure, but it’s the only way to separate the Twitter rumors from the actual diplomatic record.