Donald Trump and wife Melania were on the front row for the Pope’s funeral today, as they joined fellow world leaders and royals in mourning. With footage of the pontiff’s funeral being beamed around the world, The US President and First Lady were caught on camera engaging in a brief exchange during the service.
The pair had travelled to the Vatican on Friday on Melania’s 55th birthday. Melania, who is a practising Catholic, said beforehand she was honoured to attend the historic event.
During the two-hour service in St Peter’s Square, President Trump was seen whispering to wife Melania. A lip-reading expert has now worked out what the world leader was saying.
Professional Nicola Hickling told The Express that Mr Trump said: “I’ll go over and speak to him.” To which Melania replied with a swift ‘side eye’ but did not verbally acknowledge her husband at all during the service.
Trump was seen in close conversation and shaking the hands of various leaders ahead of the historic religions ceremony.
However, it was scenes earlier in the day of Mr Trump holding an impromptu head to head with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky minutes before the funeral that caught viewers’ attention.
Photographs released by the Ukrainian presidency showed the two leaders huddled in close discussion without aides in the ornate setting of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. The pair sat down metres from where the Pope‘s body was resting until the funeral began at 10am local time (9am BST) today.
A spokesman for Zelensky said the meeting lasted for about 15 minutes and said the two would continue talks in Rome at a later date. “The teams are working on organising that,” a spokesperson confirmed.
Trump had raised questions surrounding his choice of a blue suit for the funeral. The President stood out from fellow mourners who had turned out in the majority in all black.
“Respect? He’s not even wearing a black suit. At least Melania is attending the funeral in all black including a modesty black veil.,” complained one at seeing Trump.
As tension between the White House and Europe heats up, the Mirror has launched its very own US Politics WhatsApp community where you’ll get all the latest news from across the pond.
We’ll send you the latest breaking updates and exclusives all directly to your phone. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in.
All you have to do to join is click on this link, select ‘Join Chat’ and you’re in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group.
We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
“Why isn’t Trump wearing a black suit like everybody else so disrespectful to come to the Pope’s funeral in a light blue suit,” fumed another. Another chimed in: “At least Melania knows how to dress. Trump is a miserable creature. Wearing blue.”
Other viewers were more critical of her husband Donald Trump and his choice of a blue suit for the funeral as he stood out from fellow mourners who had turned out in the majority in all black. President Trump and his wife Melania were seated ahead of both the Irish and British delegations.
“Respect? He’s not even wearing a black suit. At least Melania is attending the funeral in all black including a modesty black veil.,” complained one.
“Why isn’t Trump wearing a black suit like everybody else so disrespectful to come to the Pope’s funeral in a light blue suit,” fumed another. Another chimed in: “At least Melania knows how to dress. Trump is a miserable creature. Wearing blue.”
Kensington Palace revealed that Prince William also spoke briefly to President Trump and his wife, Melania, on his way into the service in St Peter’s Square in Vatican City.
Trump was seated on the front row for the service, ahead of other world leaders.
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and his wife, Olena Zelenska were among those who attended the ceremony.
A large delegation of European royals also attended, including Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy, also known as the Prince of Venice, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco, King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium and King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain.
Celeb obsessed? Get a daily dose of showbiz gossip direct to your inbox