Royal welcomes are typically a well-rehearsed affair, but there appeared to be a slight blip in proceedings at the NATO reception at Buckingham Palace last night.
The Queen, 93, was filmed apparently directing Princess Anne, 69, while welcoming President and Mrs Trump alongside Prince Charles, 70, and the Duchess of Cornwall.
In a clip shared on social media today, the monarch is seen turning away from her American guests to gesture to the Princess Royal, who is stood waiting to enter the room.
Body language expert Judi James noted that the Queen appeared to ‘wave’ to her daughter, as if signalling she should come over and join the conversation, or continue the procession.
The Queen, 93, was filmed seemingly directing Princess Anne, 69, while welcoming President and Mrs Trump alongside Prince Charles, 70, and the Duchess of Cornwall, pictured
It is thought some NATO leaders and their partners might have been stood behind Princess Anne waiting for their turn.
In response, Princess Anne simply shrugged towards her mother. Judi speculated she might have been indicating that she could not move on until the Trumps had gone ahead.
Analysing the footage, Judi said: ‘The group seem to be laughing together and Anne appears to be laughing with them from the entrance, prompting the Queen to attempt to wave her in, either to join them or to be next.
‘Anne’s open-armed shrug to her mother suggests she’s staying put, but more through helplessness than stubbornness, which could imply the Trumps needed to move along before she could take her place.
The Queen was joined by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall in welcoming President and Mrs Trump to Buckingham Palace for the NATO summit reception last night
The well-rehearsed greeting saw the Trumps greet the Queen before moving down the line to Prince Charles and his wife, while Princess Anne stood in the doorway waiting to come in
Body language expert Judi James noted that the Queen appeared to ‘wave’ to her daughter, as if signalling she should come over and join the conversation, or continue the procession. In response, Princess Anne simply shrugged towards her mother, as captured above
President and Mrs Trump poke to the Queen, Charles and Camilla before making their way inside. Princess Anne waited her turn and remained in the doorway, as seen above
‘It did continue with some grins all round, although Anne’s small pacing gesture from one foot to the other could have implied impatience.’
The Queen, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall represented the royal family as they welcomed NATO leaders and their partners in an official receiving line.
Princess Anne and the Duchess of Cambridge, whose husband Prince William is abroad on a royal tour, did not take part.
The US President and First Lady had tea with Prince Charles and Camilla at Clarence House before making their way to Buckingham Palace amid heavy security later on.
The Queen is pictured alongside First Lady Melania Trump at Buckingham Palace for the 70th anniversary of NATO last night
Her Majesty was seen surrounded by world leaders and their partners at her reception for NATO at Buckingham Palace last night
Kate Middleton (above) looked stunning this evening as she wore a green dress and wore her hair in loose waves at the reception
The Princess Royal talked to guests during a reception this evening and laughed during the talks as the party carried on around her
The First Lady was wearing a yellow £4,700 Valentino coat to keep the British cold at bay teamed with fuchsia heels, while the president opted for a dark blue suit, white shirt and blue tie.
Camilla cut an elegant figure in a red dress and black blazer with Prince Charles wearing a navy pin stripe suit.
Other world leaders at Buckingham Palace at the reception included Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wife Emine, Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel and Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was also in attendance and was pictured wearing a pair of navy socks with reindeer on them and brown shoes.