On September 17, 2025, the British royal family hosted a grand state banquet at Windsor Castle to welcome U.S. President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and their delegation. The evening, attended by 160 distinguished guests, was marked by ceremonial elegance, meticulously arranged seating, and an elaborate royal procession. While the event appeared flawless in its pageantry, some of the pairings in the processional lineup raised questions and sparked discussions among both royal enthusiasts and political commentators.
The procession began with King Charles and President Trump leading the way, followed by Queen Camilla and Melania Trump. The procession then saw Prince William walking alongside Paula Reynolds, a well-known energy executive, and Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, walking behind with Michael Boulos, a young business executive and husband of Tiffany Trump, the president’s daughter from his marriage to Marla Maples.
However, what caught the attention of many was Tiffany Trump’s placement in the procession. Despite being the first daughter, Tiffany was positioned five places behind her husband, Michael Boulos. She walked into the banquet with Apple CEO Tim Cook, while Boulos was seated closer to Kate Middleton. The positioning seemed to raise eyebrows, especially given Tiffany’s high-profile status as the only one of Donald Trump’s children accompanying him during this second state visit.
In addition to the somewhat unexpected pairings, Princess Anne and her husband, Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, were also split up in the procession. Princess Anne walked in fifth position with U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom Warren Stephens, while her husband followed closely behind, walking alongside U.S. healthcare executive Dame Vivian Hunt.
At the banquet table, the seating arrangements continued to stir interest. Michael Boulos was seated next to Kate Middleton, while Tiffany Trump was positioned four seats down between Tim Cook and David Owen, the spouse of biotech CEO Dame Emma Walmsley. This placement of Tiffany, while still within the royal circle, seemed to highlight her somewhat secondary role in the royal event, further fueling speculation about the dynamics at play during this visit.
Tiffany Trump, who was previously less visible during her father’s earlier state visit to the U.K. in 2019, has since gained more public attention, especially since her marriage to Michael Boulos in 2022. The couple, who recently welcomed their first child, Alexander Trump Boulos, in May 2025, have become more prominent figures within the Trump family’s public life. Their attendance at this significant state banquet, however, was somewhat overshadowed by the complex royal and political relationships at play.
Tiffany’s presence in the royal procession, though undoubtedly significant, seemed to emphasize the evolving role of the Trump family in international diplomatic events. While her placement may have been unconventional, it also underscored the nuanced nature of royal protocol and the delicate balance between tradition and personal relationships that comes with such high-profile gatherings.
The state banquet, like many royal events, was a grand spectacle, but it also provided a rare insight into the shifting dynamics of political and royal families, especially as they navigate their roles on the global stage. As the royal family and the U.S. delegation exchanged pleasantries and toasts, the underlying conversations about legacy, position, and family ties continued to unfold, highlighting the complexities that often lie behind the glittering surface of these ceremonial occasions.
For those following the intricacies of the royal family and their relationship with the Trump family, this event provided a compelling look at how ceremonial traditions continue to evolve, and how even the smallest details—such as procession lineups and seating arrangements—can fuel broader conversations about power, relationships, and expectations in modern royal diplomacy.
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