You’ve seen the video. It’s 2019, the NATO summit is in full swing at Buckingham Palace, and there is Princess Anne—the Princess Royal herself—standing off to the side while Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, and Camilla greet Donald and Melania Trump. Then comes the moment that launched a thousand memes: the Queen looks at Anne, gestures toward her, and Anne responds with a massive, wide-armed shrug.
Social media went nuclear. People were convinced she was leading a one-woman royal resistance. But what does Princess Anne think of Donald Trump, really?
Royal life isn't a Netflix drama, even if it looks like one. To understand the relationship—or lack thereof—between the hardest-working royal and the 45th President, we have to look past the viral clips. We need to look at the protocol, the "hot mic" moments, and the dry, no-nonsense personality that makes Anne who she is.
The NATO Shrug: Snub or Just Misunderstanding?
The most famous "evidence" regarding Anne’s opinion of Trump is that shrug. At the time, headlines claimed the Queen was scolding her daughter for not being in the receiving line. Critics and fans alike projected their own feelings onto the footage.
Honestly, the truth is way more boring.
Valentine Low, a veteran royal reporter for The Times, clarified the situation shortly after the frenzy. It turns out Anne wasn't even supposed to be in the receiving line. Only the Queen, the then-Prince of Wales, and the Duchess of Cornwall were designated to officially greet the Trumps at that specific moment.
When the Queen turned to Anne, she wasn't "telling her off." She was simply checking to see which world leader was coming next in the queue. Anne’s shrug was her way of saying, "It’s just me!"
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She even followed it up by saying, "and this lot," pointing to the members of the Royal Household standing behind her. There was no political protest. Just a daughter telling her mom that the line had ended.
That Infamous Hot Mic Moment
While the shrug might have been a big nothingburger, the reception later that evening was a different story.
A video surfaced showing a circle of world leaders—including Canada’s Justin Trudeau, France’s Emmanuel Macron, and the UK’s Boris Johnson—seemingly gossiping about Trump’s penchant for long, unscheduled press conferences. If you watch the clip closely, Princess Anne is right there in the middle of the huddle.
She isn't just a bystander; she is an active participant.
While her exact words are muffled, she’s seen nodding and gesturing as Trudeau jokes about "jaws dropping to the floor." For many, this was the "smoking gun." While Anne is famously apolical in public, she is human. She lives in a world of rigid schedules and military-grade punctuality. Trump’s "unorthodox" approach to diplomatic timing likely didn't sit well with a woman who carries out hundreds of engagements a year with surgical precision.
Why Anne and Trump Are Cultural Polar Opposites
To get a handle on how they view each other, you have to look at their brands.
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- Princess Anne: High-collared, thrifty (she’s worn the same outfits for 40 years), avoids the spotlight, and prizes "duty" above all else.
- Donald Trump: Brash, maximalist, loves the cameras, and thrives on breaking established norms.
They are basically the two opposite ends of the personality spectrum. Anne has spent her entire life following the "never complain, never explain" mantra. Trump built a career on doing the exact opposite.
The Royal Family’s Stance on American Presidents
We have to remember that Princess Anne has met every US President since Eisenhower, with the exception of LBJ. She views these meetings as a job requirement.
Does she like him? She'd never tell you.
The Royal Family operates under a strict code of political neutrality. However, body language experts like Judi James often point out that Anne’s demeanor around Trump was "watchful." Unlike her interactions with, say, Barack Obama or Joe Biden—where she appeared more relaxed in standard diplomatic settings—her presence near the Trump delegation was characterized by a certain "distance."
But let’s be real: Anne has that distance with almost everyone. She’s not exactly known for being a "hugger."
What Most People Get Wrong About the "Snub"
The biggest misconception is that Anne was trying to make a viral statement.
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She wasn't.
Princess Anne famously hates the "celebrity" aspect of being a royal. She doesn't use Twitter. She probably didn't even know what a "meme" was until a staffer explained why everyone was talking about her shoulders. If she actually disliked a world leader, she wouldn't show it with a shrug; she’d likely just be efficiently, terrifyingly polite.
Key Takeaways on the Anne-Trump Dynamic
- The shrug was functional: It was a communication about the guest list, not a political commentary.
- She was in the "circle": She did participate in the conversation where other leaders mocked Trump’s style, suggesting she at least shared their exhaustion with his timing.
- Duty comes first: Regardless of personal feelings, Anne attended the events she was required to, proving her commitment to the institution over personal bias.
How the Monarchy Handles Polarizing Figures
The British Monarchy is a machine designed to survive personalities. Whether it’s Trump, Putin, or any other controversial figure, the "firm" treats them as representatives of their states.
Anne’s brother, King Charles III, has been more vocal about climate change—a point of friction with Trump’s policies—but Anne remains the enigma. She likely views Trump the same way she views a rainy day during an equestrian event: something to be managed with a sturdy coat and a bit of grit.
What You Can Learn from the Princess Royal’s Diplomacy
In a world where everyone is expected to "post their stance," Anne’s approach is a masterclass in professional boundaries.
- Focus on the task: She was there for the NATO 70th anniversary, not to be a pundit.
- Don't feed the trolls: She never commented on the viral video, allowing the drama to die out naturally.
- Keep your circle tight: Her involvement in the Trudeau/Macron chat shows she saves her "real" talk for behind-the-scenes moments with peers.
If you’re looking for a definitive quote where Anne trashes Trump, you’re never going to find it. But if you're looking for a woman who values protocol and was clearly amused by the chaos of 2019, the footage speaks for itself.
To stay informed on how the Royal Family interacts with global leaders, keep an eye on the official Court Circular. It’s the only place you’ll get the unfiltered list of who Anne is meeting—without the social media spin. You might also want to look into the history of the Princess Royal’s diplomatic visits to the U.S. to see how she handles stateside relations when the cameras aren't shoved in her face.