Trump stepped in and shook more people’s hands as the king looked on.
However, after shaking hands with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, the king seemed to have had enough. ZumaPress
King Charles awkwardly pulled out of the long handshake line at the state visit’s welcome ceremony, says People.
King Charles and Queen Camilla returned to the White House for the second day of their US state visit on Tuesday. Upon arriving at the official ceremony, the King was greeted by a long handshake line consisting of high-ranking members of President Donald Trump’s administration.
The king greeted Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. However, after shaking hands with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, the king seemed to have had enough. He raised his hand and made a remark that made the waiting crowd laugh.
After this, Charles started walking towards the stage. Trump stepped in and shook more people’s hands as the king looked on, before everyone moved to the podium.
Charles’s handshake fatigue was no big surprise.
The day before, the royal couple had attended a huge garden party at the British Embassy with over 600 guests. Queen Camilla had even admitted to feeling “a little jet-lagged” after the flight.
House Speaker Mike Johnson described the king as “very pleasant” and said he was taking it easy.