Sophia Michaels
During a meeting at Notre Dame Cathedral on December 7, Donald Trump conveyed a sense of authority over Prince William, treating him as an apprentice, according to observers.
As reported by People, Trump’s visit to France coincided with the celebration of Notre Dame’s reopening, five years after a devastating fire. Prince William, who attended on behalf of the U.K., took time to engage with Trump during the ceremony and again during a separate meeting.
Following the event, the Kensington Royal account on X (formerly Twitter) shared their enthusiasm about the landmark’s restoration. In their tweet, they expressed gratitude to everyone involved in the renovation and acknowledged their time spent with Trump and French President Macron.
Despite William’s upbeat view of the meeting, Traci Brown, a body language expert, commented on the interaction, suggesting that Trump seemed to exert dominance throughout the encounter.
Trump’s “Apprentice” Attitude Shines Through
Although it’s been years since Donald Trump hosted “The Apprentice,” his former authoritative demeanor resurfaced during his meeting with Prince William. Body language expert Traci Brown noted that Trump immediately assumed a commanding presence upon entering the residence of the U.K. Ambassador, where Prince William awaited him.
The new special relationship? The Prince of Wales and @realDonaldTrump are currently meeting in Paris. Prince William, representing the King, is the first member of the royal family to meet Trump since his re-election to the @WhiteHouse and has beaten @Keir_Starmer to it. pic.twitter.com/RXL7P9lTcG
— Roya Nikkhah (@RoyaNikkhah) December 7, 2024
Brown remarked that William appeared to adopt a defensive stance, referred to as the “fig leaf position,” while Trump was more focused on engaging with the crowd than acknowledging the prince. Even when William attempted to release his handshake, Trump maintained his grip, indicating a desire to assert dominance in the interaction, a tactic he often employs.
Their interaction turned friendlier when Trump invited William to speak with an open hand gesture. Although William showed signs of positive anticipation, he reverted to his guarded posture while Trump preferred to keep his hands down, illustrating a mismatch in their body language. Trump’s demeanor suggested he regarded the meeting as a casual affair, in contrast to William’s more formal stance.
In a similar display of dominance, Trump also engaged in a prolonged handshake with French President Macron. This indicates his continued inclination towards asserting authority, whether in a formal environment or while reinforcing his status back in the White House.
