Biden’s ‘protocol breach’ with King Charles was ‘unusual,’ but ‘sweet’: expert

King Charles and President Joe Biden met for the first time during the monarch’s reign Monday, and all eyes were on them.

The politician, 80, encountered the 74-year-old sovereign at Windsor Castle, where many people believed that Biden breached protocol.

Body language expert Judi James gave some insight into the pair’s gathering on the sweltering July day.

When Biden’s car pulled up to the royal residence, Charles came out to welcome him with a handshake.

When they both walked together up a few steps, Biden gently placed his hand on Charles. 

James explained to the US Sun that protocol dictates that one must never touch a member of the royal family unless they extend their hand first.

“Biden’s forthcoming touch rituals might not have been offensive but they would have been unusual,” she said. “[He] treated the king as he might a cherished friend that he had not seen for a while.”

The handshake the two shared involved “close torso proximity,” and, according to James, “this was performed inside what is known as the intimate zone of friendship.”

Sometime later, when the men went to ceremoniously inspect the Guard of Honor, Biden was several paces in front of the sovereign.

She went on: “The walking in front protocol is said to be based on hierarchy, meaning no one in the United Kingdom would walk in front of a king or queen. However the hierarchy aspect changes with a head of state or foreign royal visit.”

Charles then had put his hand on Biden’s back to help steer him through the castle grounds.

Biden “seemed to consider this a friendship ritual that needed reciprocation.”

“Whatever the etiquette, this is still a sweet display, with both men looking rather of age,” James said. “They helped each other, especially as Biden did seem to walk awkwardly.”

She further noted that the moods of the two heads of state seemed “lighthearted” as they laughed with each other.

A Buckingham Palace source denied that Biden broke any protocol on Tuesday, noting to People that Charles was “entirely comfortable” with Biden’s behavior.

“What a wonderful symbol of warmth and affection it was between both the individuals and their nations,” the insider continued, adding that it was fine for the commander in chief to stroll in front of the former Prince of Wales.

The source then told CNN: “Contrary to some reports that is, in fact, the correct protocol.”