King Charles III and Princess Kate drew online attention after they stayed seated while guests gave a standing ovation during U.S. President Donald Trump’s state banquet speech at Windsor Castle on September 17, 2025.
The evening featured speeches by both Charles and Trump, a toast, and a spontaneous round of applause after Trump’s remarks. A TikTok clip of the moment, showing Kate calmly sitting as guests stood and clapped has gained over 225,000 views and nearly 27,000 likes. Some viewers saw their choice to remain seated as a possible snub.
Royal protocol, however, is complex and often misunderstood. According to palace sources, the standing ovation wasn’t part of the planned program, so Charles and Kate may have simply been following the banquet’s official order rather than making a political statement. Other interactions during the visit support this view: Kate was seen smiling with the U.S. president, and Queen Camilla at one point guided her toward First Lady Melania Trump for conversation.
A palace insider later told Newsweek the entire state visit was “flawless,” stressing the “genuine warmth” between the royals and their American guests.
TikTok comments reflected mixed opinions. One user suggested protocol likely explained the moment, while another noted how friendly and relaxed Kate seemed elsewhere. Trump himself praised the royals in his speech, calling Prince William “remarkable” and describing Kate as “radiant, healthy, and beautiful.”
Overall, what some perceived as a silent protest may have simply been a case of strict royal etiquette rather than a hidden message about U.S.–U.K. relations.
