'Does not like him one bit': Queen Máxima of the Netherlands accused of mimicking US President Donald Trump's mannerisms in viral palace clip
What began as a standard royal photocall has turned into a viral moment, with Queen Máxima of the Netherlands accused of mocking US President Donald Trump during his official visit to The Hague this week.
President Trump, 72, arrived in the Netherlands on Tuesday evening for the NATO summit, just days after launching strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and only hours after announcing a ceasefire in the Israel-Iran conflict.
Upon arrival, he was greeted by the Netherlands' King Willem-Alexander and his Argentine-born wife, as well as their eldest daughter, Crown Princess Amalia, ahead of a dinner with NATO leaders.
Though initially expected to stay in a luxury hotel in the coastal town of Noordwijk, Trump was instead invited to spend the night at the royal residence, where the King and Queen live with their three daughters.
"President Trump has accepted King Willem-Alexander's invitation to spend the night at Huis ten Bosch in The Hague," a White House official confirmed on Tuesday.
"This is a historic event – marking the first time an American President will stay at the King's residence."
The next morning, the Dutch royals posed with the President for an official photoshoot following breakfast at the palace.
"That's the picture we want," Trump said, flashing a thumbs-up and a big grin as he posed between the King and Queen.
After a flurry of camera shutters, King Willem-Alexander asked if the President had enjoyed his stay.
"It was great," Trump replied, turning to photographers and adding, "Thank you all very much."
In that moment, Queen Máxima appeared to subtly move her mouth in a way that mirrored Trump's distinct speaking style, as though silently mouthing "thank you" herself.
The brief gesture quickly set social media alight.
"Wait a minute, was Queen Maxima of the Netherlands mimicking Donald Trump?!" one user wrote on X.
"Maxima does not like Trump's a** one bit!" said another, alongside several laughing emojis.
"Our queen making fun of Trump and she imitates him, while she stands beside him. Máxima the queen you are!" a third added.
"Queen Maxima mimicking Trump's mouth movements really got me," a fourth wrote.
But others rushed to defend the 54-year-old Queen, arguing it was a misread moment.
"Maxima is such a beautiful and genuine woman," one fan wrote on YouTube.
"I think people are reading this wrong!"
Another commented: "Awkward, but I think an accident!"
While the typically outspoken President has not addressed the viral clip, the rest of his Dutch visit appears to have gone smoothly.
Trump wrapped up the NATO summit with a long-sought diplomatic victory: securing a commitment from several member nations to significantly boost their defence spending- a policy he has advocated for since his first tenure as President back in 2017.
He has since returned to Washington.
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