There’s a unique kind of pressure that comes with being a senior member of the royal family. Every handshake, every smile, every conversation is scrutinized. So, when the King hosts a state dinner, the expectation isn’t just to attend—it’s to perform with flawless grace, no matter who is sitting next to you. For Catherine, Princess of Wales, that meant spending an evening beside former President Donald Trump during his recent visit to the UK. And if the online reaction is anything to go by, the public felt for her.
The moment the seating chart was revealed, a collective, sympathetic groan seemed to ripple across the internet. Royal fan accounts posted photos of Kate at the event, smiling politely as Trump engaged her in conversation. While many praised her unwavering professionalism, the comments sections told a different story. “I’m so sorry she had to sit next to him.. but I’m sure she handled it with grace and charm,” wrote one Instagram user. Another, identifying as an American, commented, “As a USA citizen, I apologize to Katherine for having to sit next to him.” Perhaps the most succinct response was a top comment that simply read, “Poor Catherine.”
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Of course, we’ll never truly know what Kate was thinking. Her ability to remain impeccably polite and engaged is a core part of her job, and she’s mastered it. But the widespread public sympathy did raise an amusing, if bizarre, question: What was it actually *like* to sit next to him? This curiosity inevitably brought to the surface a long-running and peculiar internet rumor concerning the former president’s… personal aroma.
So, Where Did the Smell Rumors Come From?
It sounds like the plot of a satirical comedy, but the question of Donald Trump’s alleged odor has been a subject of public speculation for years, fueled by comments from those who have shared a room with him. This isn’t just anonymous online trolling; the claims have come from political figures and celebrities alike.
Former Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger has been perhaps the most vocal. In late 2023, he took to X (formerly Twitter) with a surprisingly blunt statement: “I’m genuinely surprised how people close to Trump haven’t talked about the odor… It’s truly something to behold. Wear a mask if you can.” He later elaborated on *Jimmy Kimmel Live!*, attempting to describe the scent as a mix of “armpits, ketchup, makeup, and a little butt.” He did cautiously add that it may not have been a permanent state, but the impression was clearly a lasting one.
Comedian Kathy Griffin seemed to corroborate the account during an interview with Mary L. Trump, the former president’s niece. Griffin described it as “body odor with kind of like a scented makeup products… you can smell the hair products, even outdoors.”
Even Trump himself added a curious piece to the puzzle. At a 2025 press conference, he mentioned that Melania Trump often lamented the inability to open windows in the White House for fresh air. It was a passing remark, but for many, it felt like an unintentional admission that perhaps some air freshening was occasionally desired.
The Ultimate Test of Royal Composure
Circling back to the state dinner, this bizarre backdrop is what made Kate Middleton’s poised performance all the more impressive to the public. The internet wasn’t just feeling sorry for her because she had to make small talk with a controversial figure; they were genuinely wondering if she had to do it while navigating a… challenging sensory experience.
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It’s a testament to her profound professionalism that not a single flicker of discomfort was detected. Her smile never wavered; her attention never seemed to stray. While the rest of us might have struggled to maintain our composure, the Princess of Wales provided a masterclass in diplomacy. She did her job, and she did it perfectly, leaving the rest of us to gossip and speculate from the sidelines. In the end, the only thing that was clear was that her grace under pressure remains utterly unquestioned.
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