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By Martha McHardy
US News Reporter
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President Donald Trump appeared to be subtly mocked by Dutch royalty during a NATO summit in The Hague on Wednesday.
Trump was photographed alongside Queen Máxima and King Willem-Alexander at the Huis ten Bosch Palace shortly after arriving at the summit. Standing between the two royals, Trump flashed a thumbs-up and told photographers: "That's the picture we want!"
The King followed with a polite, "I hope you slept well," to which Trump replied, "It was great," smiling and thanking those present.
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However, as the moment wrapped up, Queen Máxima appeared to mimic Trump's mouth movements before turning back to face the cameras.
Newsweek has contacted the Dutch royal household and the White House for comment via email.
Why It Matters
The incident potentially highlights ongoing tensions in Trump's relationships with European allies and raises fresh questions about how foreign leaders are responding to his re-emergence on the world stage. Moments like these could shape international perceptions and influence diplomatic dynamics.
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What To Know
The gesture, caught on video, has since fueled speculation online that the queen was mocking the president.
One user on X called the moment "hilarious," saying the Queen should "treat him like a baby." CNN News 18 editor Vani Mehrotra noted that Queen Máxima was "believed to be mocking" Trump
It is not the first time Trump has been mocked at a NATO summit. In 2019, a video emerged showing several world leaders appearing to joke about Trump during a NATO summit in London.
The footage, taken during a reception at Buckingham Palace, captured Boris Johnson, Justin Trudeau and Emmanuel Macron in conversation. At one point, Johnson asked Macron, "Is that why he was late?" prompting Trudeau to chime in, "He was late because he takes a 40-minute press conference off the top."
Trudeau continued, "Oh, yeah, yeah yeah. He announced..." before Macron, speaking animatedly with his back to the camera, cut him off. Although Trump was never mentioned by name, the exchange appeared to refer to the U.S. president's lengthy remarks earlier that day.
At this week's NATO summit, world leaders officially signed off on a new pledge to raise defense and related spending to 5 percent of GDP in the next decade.
What People Are Saying
One person wrote on X: "This is hilarious! I've never been a fan of our stiff monarchy, but Queen Maxima rocks it! Treat him like a baby."
CNN News 18 Deputy News Editor Vani Mehrotra wrote on X."Did she really do that? Queen Maxima of the Netherlands is believed to be mocking US President Donald Trump, per this video and social media comments."
What Happens Next
Neither the Dutch Royal Family nor the White House have commented on the exchange.
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