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Photos Of Trump Vs. Obama With The Queen Speak To The Power Of Tradition
Wednesday marked the final day of President Donald Trump's state visit to the United Kingdom, alongside first lady Melania Trump. Over the course of their visit, the Trumps — along with the president's adult children — joined Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, and British Prime Minister Theresa May for a variety of press events and dinners. And for Trump critics like former White House photographer Pete Souza, photos of Trump vs. Obama with Queen Elizabeth are quite distinct. Even so, it's clear that no matter how different their visits seemed, they did honor similar traditions.
During his presidency, Obama visited Queen Elizabeth in London three times, though she never visited the White House. Trump's visit with the queen this week, meanwhile, was the second time the two met, per The New York Times. The last time Trump met Queen Elizabeth, however, was not an official state visit; according to the Times, Trump's last visit to the U.K. was downgraded to a working trip due to tensions between the U.K. and the U.S. following his election.
Though this week's state visit followed a two-year delay, it was still marked with some controversy. For example, Trump said that Meghan Markle was "nasty about" him, and described London Mayor Sadiq Khan as a "stone cold loser."
As Trump's first official state visit to the U.K. concludes, the following photos from Trump and Obama's respective visits with Queen Elizabeth speak to their different interactions with the queen. But even though their body language may have been different, many of the traditions and protocol observed by the presidents were similar.
The Trumps Arrive At Buckingham Palace
On Monday, the Trumps joined Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, for a welcome ceremony outside Buckingham Palace.
The Obamas Review An Honor Guard
During a state visit to the U.K. in 2011, the Obamas reviewed an honor guard of the First Battalion Scots Guards outside Buckingham Palace alongside Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip. As the Trumps did when they arrived at the palace, the Obamas posed with their hands on their hearts while the royal family did not.
A State Banquet At Buckingham Palace
As part of the Trumps' state visit, Queen Elizabeth hosted a state banquet in their honor at Buckingham Palace. During the banquet, the president and the queen made a toast.
Obama At The Palace
In 2011, the Obamas got their own state banquet, courtesy of the queen.
Posing With The Royals
Prior to the state banquet, the Trumps posed with Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, in Buckingham Palace's Music Room.
An Appearance In The Music Room
Eight years before the Trumps, the Obamas also posed in palace's Music Room before their state banquet, alongside Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip.
75th Anniversary Of D-Day
On Wednesday — the final day of the Trumps' state visit to the U.K. — the president and first lady attended D-Day commemorations in Portsmouth, England alongside Queen Elizabeth and French President Emmanuel Macron.
70th Anniversary Of D-Day
In 2014, Obama joined Queen Elizabeth and several other world leaders — ranging from Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski to Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg — to commemorate to the 70th anniversary of D-Day in Ouistreham, France. This was separate from Obama's 2011 state visit to the U.K., but both Obama and the queen were present.
A Visit To The Royal Collection
On the first day of the Trumps' U.K. state visit, the president and first lady participated in another tradition — a viewing of American items in Buckingham Palace's royal collection.
American Items From The Royal Collection
The Obamas also got to see these American items in the royal collection during their own state visit in 2011.
Although people like Souza have poked fun at Trump by suggesting that the queen enjoyed Obama's state visit more, both presidents appeared to participate in similar activities during their meetings with Queen Elizabeth. According to TIME, the queen has met with a dozen U.S. presidents since her coronation in 1952.
