Most of you are likely unfamiliar with the subtle ways in which the House of Windsor sends a message, and the message in releasing these two pictures is LOUD. Because Charles is treating Zelensky as an ally and a *peer* Unlike a man who *thinks* he’s king, King Charles has a number of laws and traditional rules that guide how people must interact with him in audience, but they also have many modern limits on how they may interact with and influence government. To get around this and send a message Queen Elizabeth started the practice of subtly breaking protocol to send a message and letting the press pick it up. Charles is doing the same. 1) Handshake: In the strictest traditions of peerage, you’d never shake hands with anyone below your station - but in modern times it’s seen as acceptable (but rare) for members of the royal court to shake hands, especially the crown monarch. But Charles has become famous for this, as he’ll shake the hands of every day folks during parades, and meetings with foreign dignitaries, as it’s his way of saying the King isn’t above the people. 2) Fatigues: Zelensky was received in the palace in his military uniform. Palace etiquette dictates formal attire or military dress attire within the palace proper - and this is a decision that only the crown monarch would have the authority to waive. When Churchill visited the Whitehouse during WWII he wore his fatigues. But when he went to the palace he wore a suit. If Zelensky wanted to wear fatigues, normally the palace would arrange for the meeting to take place on the grounds, rather than within the palace. 3) The arm gesture: This is the most subtle but most important one. Tradition dictates that you cannot walk ahead of, nor turn your back on, any member of the Royal Court who is in higher station than you, with the highest station being the crown monarch. The only times anyone may walk in front of the crown monarch is if they “are protecting the king and his realm” or “a representative of god in ceremony” This is one of the royal traditions that is still strictly adhered to, even by other heads of state, who when walking with the King or Queen walk beside or even a step or two behind the crown monarch, and when meeting in private session in the palace, still take steps backward when exiting the room. For the King to choose to release a picture of him gesturing to “come on in” and walk ahead of him is saying one of three possible things: 1) I view this man as my equal. 2) I view this man as someone who is protecting me and my realm. 3) I view this man as someone who is actively doing the divine work of God. While many will shrug this off and think nothing of it, because they don’t live in that world of decorum and tradition, this is a message that is loudly heard in the upper echelons of Britain, the Commonwealth, and those who closely follow international relation (or Royal historians) The King is very loudly, in a very British way, calling out Trump’s behavior. And in no uncertain terms is saying Zelensky is an ally, a man of impeccable standing, a friend, and an equal. And if a true King, can do that; then a self-proclaimed pretend King has no excuse.