Queen Máxima Responds After Viral Video Appears to Show Her Mocking Trump
A brief moment during President Donald Trump’s visit to the Netherlands has gone viral, with social media users suggesting that Queen Máxima was mimicking the U.S. president during a royal photo opportunity. Now, the Dutch queen has addressed the speculation directly.
President Trump traveled to The Hague last week to attend the NATO summit and also visited Huis ten Bosch Palace, where he met with Queen Máxima and King Willem-Alexander. While the official visit was largely diplomatic, it quickly became a trending topic online for more humorous reasons.
The ‘Thank You’ Moment That Sparked Buzz
While posing for photos with the royal couple, a brief video clip captured Queen Máxima seemingly imitating the president’s distinctive way of saying “thank you.” The moment quickly made the rounds on social media, prompting a flurry of reactions.
“WAIT A MINUTE, WAS QUEEN MÁXIMA OF THE NETHERLANDS MIMICKING DONALD TRUMP?” one post read. Another user chimed in, “Queen Máxima mimicking Trump’s mouth movements really got me.”
However, in an interview with Dutch outlet AD, Queen Máxima clarified that there was no mocking involved. She explained that she had said “thank you” during the event, but it was directed at a member of staff who had assisted her—not a response to President Trump.
“It was a pleasant experience,” she added, dismissing claims that she had mocked the president.
Princess Amalia Shares Her Excitement
Queen Máxima’s daughter, 21-year-old Princess Amalia, also shared her thoughts on the visit, calling it “really cool” to meet the U.S. president. Amalia is the eldest of three daughters shared by Queen Máxima and King Willem-Alexander, alongside Princess Alexia, 20, and Princess Ariane, 18.
The royal family posed with Trump at the palace during what was otherwise described as a cordial diplomatic meeting.
‘Daddy’ and Diplomatic Drama
The president’s visit also drew attention after an earlier press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. In a remark about the conflict between Israel and Iran, Trump used strong language, stating the two countries “don’t know what the f**k they’re doing.”
Rutte, in an attempt to lighten the moment, said: “Daddy has to sometimes use strong language to get it stopped,” in reference to Trump’s leadership style. The nickname “Daddy” quickly caught on online, though Rutte later clarified that it was a joking comment and not an official moniker.
Body Language Under the Microscope
Beyond the viral video and media soundbites, analysts also examined Trump’s body language during his handshake with King Willem. According to body language expert Darren Stanton, the handshake appeared forceful and deliberate—what Stanton described as Trump “marking his territory.”
While much of the public focus has been on viral moments and unintended memes, the visit itself was described by both parties as respectful and productive.