Theresa May welcomes Donald Trump to Downing Street... but no handshake between two leaders

Ella Wills4 June 2019

Theresa May has welcomed US President Donald Trump to Downing Street but there was no handshake between the two leaders.

Viewers spotted how the pair avoided an awkward handshake on Tuesday as the president and first lady Melania Trump arrived at Number 10 just after 11am.

They were met by Mrs May and her husband Philip, however Mr Trump only nodded in greeting to the Prime Minister.

The two leaders had already seen each other on Tuesday morning, spending time together with business leaders at St James' Palace.

Prime Minister Theresa May and US President Donald Trump did not shake hands at Downing Street
AFP/Getty Images

It comes after the president was involved in an awkward "fist bump" greeting with the Queen on Monday.

Mrs May and husband Philip greeted the president and Mrs Trump as they arrived in Downing Street.

The leaders shook hands with Philip May and First Lady Melania Trump but not each other
Getty Images

Both Mrs May and her husband shook hands with the First Lady while Mr Trump shook hands with Mr May.

But the leaders opted to simply verbally greet one another.

Downing Street said the lack of handshake was a matter of etiquette.

“One only shakes another’s hand once in a day and the President and PM met at St James’s Palace earlier,” a spokesman said.

Mrs May and her husband Philip, Mr Trump and First Lady Melania Trump pose outside 10 Downing Street
Getty Images

On Monday, Mr Trump appeared to deliver an unusual handshake upon meeting the Queen.

Some remarked that his holding of the monarch's hand looked at first in photographs like a fist bump.

But he actually seemed to clench her hand rather than shaking it with a flat hand.

Body language expert Judi James suggested that Mr Trump - who is known for his extreme hand-holding - was not able to get a proper grasp because the Queen usually offers only her fingertips - and that his "huge hands" did not help matters.

The American leader has form for grabbing hands and holding on to them for a long period of time, but the Queen was spared this.

Additional reporting by Press Association.

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