Donald Trump was ‘parental’ towards Prince William during their meeting in Paris yesterday, a body language expert has claimed.
The Prince of Wales and US President-elect were all smiles when they met at the residence of the British ambassador, following the historic re-opening of the Notre-Dame.
In what was his first meeting with a member of the Royal Family since his election victory last month, Trump praised William, calling him a ‘good man’.
Body language expert Judi James claimed the politician took a ‘friendly, almost parental’ approach towards the prince throughout the day.
Speaking to MailOnline, Ms James said: ‘Trump uses several touch rituals with William to suggest a friendly, almost parental approach, even adding some verbal endorsements as though William needed his approval.’
Footage showed Trump fondly touching William on the shoulder as they greeted each other at the Notre-Dame Cathedral reception.
‘With William he became more familiar and friendly […], patting him on the shoulder as they shook hands and then adding an extra, warmer touch with one hand under the elbow to signal that familiarity and support,’ Ms James said.
‘Trump seemed to switch out of political mode with William and to suggest something more like a family vibe. The hand clasp was a firm one but with no power-posturing, and it was William’s thumb clamping the clasp at the top.’
The Prince of Wales and US President-elect Donal Trump were all smiles when they met at the residence of the British ambassador in Paris yesterday
Trump meeting Prince William at the UK Ambassador’s Residence in Paris
Later in the day, Trump and William posed for pictures in the Salon Jaune room at the British embassy, and shook hands as the politician entered.
‘Arriving at the embassy where William was waiting to host him, Trump seemed to pause in the doorway to wait for William to walk across the lobby to greet him. This became William’s ”act of inconvenience”, which refers to the effort and distance a host goes to when greeting a guest,’ said Ms James.
‘Walking out to the doorway as William did would suggest Trump was an honored guest, although Trump may have waited in a bid to look polite.’
Ms James added: ‘As soon as Trump walked in though he took over the room, throwing his hand out for a shake but turning straight away to address the cameras. He placed another pat of friendship on William’s arm but as he spoke to the press he performed a very casual and thumb jerk towards William to tell them he’s ”doing a good job” as though the Prince needed the endorsement.’
The body language expert said Trump appeared ‘relaxed’ while in the Prince’s company, as opposed to his usual formal, political posture.
‘When they sat together talking and posing Trump adopted a hugely relaxed pose. Instead of the usual alpha leg splay and steepled fingers he uses with other world leaders he leaned across in William’s direction with his weight on one elbow that was placed on the arm of the chair,’ she said.
‘His legs were clamped together and crossed at the ankles and he had one hand grasping the wrist of the other.
‘He seemed to have dropped all his usual power-posturing and opted for a more comfortable look here, again making it look more like a parental or family visit than a formal or political one.’
Ms James added: ‘William took it all in good humor, sitting in a more politely upright pose but with a self-effacing smile that balanced well with Trump’s parental posing.’
In what was Trump’s first meeting with a member of the Royal Family since his election victory last month, he praised the Prince, calling him a ‘good man’
Exchanging another warm handshake with William as he entered the foyer, the US President-elect turned to reporters and said ‘wow, what a nice group’
During their 40-minute meeting, the pair discussed a range of global issues but focused on the importance of the relationship between the UK and the US, with the President-elect sharing fond memories of the late Queen, Kensington Palace said.
Prince William expected to meet with Trump for half an hour prior to the glamorous ceremony at the Notre Dame last night to discuss the US and UK’s ‘special relationship’.
But travel disruption caused by Storm Darragh, which has battered parts of the UK, meant the royal had to reschedule his meeting both with the once and future President as well as the current US First Lady Jill Biden.
Instead of their originally planned private chat, the First Lady and William were going to have a talk on the sidelines of the ceremony, Kensington Palace previously said.
After speaking in the foyer of building on Saturday, Trump and Prince William walked upstairs to begin their discussions.
Trump and William sat on light-yellow sofas in the Salon Jaune room, which had gold-coloured patterned wallpaper, a Christmas tree in the corner and a chandelier overhead.
The Prince of Wales shook hands withTrump during their encounters in Paris yesterday
Trump greeting Prince William during the ceremony to mark the reopening of Notre-Dame of Paris Cathedra
Before the meeting began, William said: ‘We can warm our toes up after the cathedral’ to which Trump smiled and responded: ‘Right, you’re right.’
The meeting between the US President-elect and the Prince of Wales concluded at around 10.20pm local time last night, after over half an hour of talks.
Inside the 861-year-old cathedral – before what was its first opening since being devastated by an inferno in 2019 – the Prince of Wales shared a warm and firm handshake with Trump prior to their private meeting.
Greeting the prince in the cathedral, Trump couldn’t resist his famous ‘clasp and yank’ handshake, moving in with an outstretched hand and grasping the royal shoulder in what body language experts called a display of power and domination.
Still, William didn’t seem too concerned by Trump’s display of machismo when they met at the ceremonial reopening, sharing a cordial exchange of words before the Prince was released from Trump’s grip.
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