Donald Trump appears to be holding Melania’s hand in an attempt to hide his mystery hand bruise from cameras. The US president is suspected of deploying the same tactic at Windsor Castle on Wednesday afternoon, as he did at Stansted Airport the night before. Mr Trump was greeted by the King, the Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales after disembarking from a presidential helicopter on the lawn of the Berkshire residence’s vast Walled Garden.
Eagle-eyed viewers spotted that the president was hand-in-hand with the first lady as he approached the royal family, a gesture of public affection that has sparked renewed speculation over his health. Mr and Mrs Trump also held hands as they greeted UK dignitaries and cameras on Tuesday evening, tactically hiding the president’s hand, where bruising has been spotted in recent weeks. The 79-year-old became the oldest man to be sworn in as US leader after last year’s general election.
The marks on his hand have been visible during a number of public appearances, and were also seen coated in what appeared to be concealer, in an apparent bid to quell rumours about his potential decline.
The White House has maintained that the marks could be linked to a combination of “frequent handshaking” and aspirin, which has a variety of uses including as blood-thinning medication, as per The Mirror.
Mr Trump’s doctor, Sean Barbarella said: “This is consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking ahd the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.”
The American leader and the first lady were treated to a personal greeting from the royal family outside Victoria House, a little-known property at Frogmore on the private Windsor estate.
Before his arrival in the UK, Mr Trump described King Charles as a “friend” and “an elegant gentleman”. He also said Windsor Castle, which has never been used for a state visit in modern times, was “the ultimate” setting.
It is just one of a number of flourishes being added to the visit in a bid to impress the billionaire-turned-politician, with Mr Trump treated to a carriage procession through the estate, accompanied by the Sovereign’s Escort of the Life Guards and the Blues and Royals of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
There are no public-facing engagements during the trip, with security paramount for the 47th US president, who has faced two assassination attempts in just over a year, in the wake of the killing of his ally Charlie Kirk.