Queen Maxima of the Netherlands has addressed speculation that she mocked Donald Trump during last week's NATO summit, explaining she was simply thanking someone who had assisted her.
The Dutch royal clarified the viral moment during the Royal Family's annual summer photo session on Monday, telling reporters from Dutch outlet AD: "I said 'thank you' to someone who had helped."
The 54-year-old Queen described meeting the US President as a "pleasant experience," putting to rest social media theories about her facial expression during the interaction.
Her comments came after footage from the summit showed her appearing to pull a face whilst standing next to Trump and King Willem-Alexander.
Royal sets record straight after accused of mocking Donald Trump.
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The brief moment captured on camera sparked immediate reaction across social media platforms, with users speculating about the queen's intentions.
CNN editor Vani Mehrotra observed on social media: "Did she really do that? Queen Maxima of the Netherlands is believed to be mocking Donald Trump."
Another user wrote: "You have to watch how Queen Maxima of the Netherlands mocks Trump's speaking right in front of him."
Whilst some praised the Queen's perceived actions, with one commenting: "Queen Maxima rocks it! Treat him like a baby," others were critical.
Donald Trump with the Dutch Royal Family.
Reuters
"How low can you stoop as the so-called queen of Dutch people who don't exist... despicable to the core," one user wrote.
The interaction occurred when Trump arrived in the Netherlands for the NATO summit last Tuesday, with the red carpet rolled out for world leaders.
During the photo opportunity, Trump gave a thumbs-up whilst the King stood closer to him than Queen Maxima did.
"That's the picture we want," Trump said as King Willem-Alexander told him: "Well, I hope you slept well!"
Donald Trump met King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands.
Reuters
"It was great, the house is..." Trump replied before thanking those present.
It was at this moment that Queen Maxima appeared to make the facial expression that caught viewers' attention, before turning towards the cameras.
The Queen's eldest daughter, 21-year-old Princess Catharina-Amalia, who is heir to the throne, also commented on the Trump meeting during Monday's photo session.
She said it was "really cool" that she had the opportunity to meet "the president of America."
Queen Maxima has set the record straight on the mocking accusations.
Reuters
The clarification from Queen Maxima came during the Dutch royal family's traditional summer photo session, where she, King Willem-Alexander and their three daughters posed for photographers.
The Buenos Aires-born queen, who married into the Dutch royal family in 2002, has endeared herself to the Dutch people with her warm personality.
First lady Melania Trump did not accompany her husband on the overseas trip to the Netherlands.
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