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Queen Maxima puts record straight on her viral Donald Trump moment

Queen Maxima explains how she got caught in a viral Donald Trump moment

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands has explained just what happened when she met Donald Trump last week and ended up going viral after claims she was mocking the US President.

During a meeting in The Hague ahead of the NATO summit, Queen Maxima turned from President Trump to waiting journalists and made an elaborate movement with her mouth.

Queen Maxima pulls an elaborate face during a meeting with US President Donald Trump in The Hague
Queen Maxima went viral for this gesture during a meeting with Donald Trump
(You Tube still/ fair use)

It was seen by some as a swipe at the US leader who is known for his exaggerated gestures. The video went viral across social media with many claiming that the Dutch queen was mocking the President of the United States.

However, speaking to reporters as her royal family held its annual summer photo call, the Queen of the Netherlands explained just what had happened.

Queen Maxima said that she had, in fact, been saying ‘thank you’ to someone in the room who had been helping her.

Queen Maxima pulls a face as she explains how she was acting when she met Donald Trump during a visit to The Hague
Queen Maxima recreates the moment that went viral as she says ‘thank you’
(You Tube still/ fair use)

And in the same interview, she said she was glad to have met President Trump describing the encounter as a pleasant experience.

Her eldest daughter and heir to the throne, Princess Catharina-Amalia, also had warm words for the US leader who she met at a dinner in The Hague for world leaders.

The future queen said that meeting Donald Trump had been ”incredibly special” and described the US leader as ”NATO’s greatest ally”.

About author

Lydia Starbuck is Editor in Chief at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.