Queen Máxima of the Netherlands has addressed viral claims that she "mocked" President Donald Trump during his recent visit to The Hague for the NATO summit, clarifying her side after social media erupted over a clip of their palace meet-and-greet.
The Moment That Sparked the Internet Buzz
Last week, Trump arrived in the Netherlands to attend the NATO summit, meeting with Secretary General Mark Rutte before heading to Huis ten Bosch Palace to visit Queen Máxima and King Willem-Alexander.
During a photo opportunity, Trump flashed his signature thumbs-up while joking, “That’s the picture we want,” adding, “It was great, the house is…” as he thanked those present.
It was at that moment, in a now-viral clip, that Queen Máxima appeared to mimic Trump’s distinctive mouth movements before turning back to face the cameras, prompting viewers to claim it felt “like an episode of The Office.”
One user wrote, “WAIT A MINUTE WAS QUEEN MAXIMA OF THE NETHERLANDS MIMICKING DONALD TRUMP?” while another added, “She dead a*s looked at the camera like it’s The Office.”
Queen Máxima Responds to Claims of Mocking Trump
However, the royal has now addressed the viral moment and put the matter to bed.
Speaking to AD, Queen Máxima clarified that she was simply mouthing “thank you” at someone who had assisted during the event - not as a way to mock the president. She described the meeting with Trump as “a pleasant experience.”
Meanwhile, her daughter, 21-year-old Princess Amalia, shared that it was “really cool” to meet the President of the United States. Amalia is the eldest of Máxima and King Willem’s three daughters, who also include Princess Alexia, 20, and Princess Ariane, 18.
Additionally, King Willem-Alexander revealed that he was "incredibly proud" of the summit and all who attended.
Rutte Calls Trump "Daddy"?
Trump’s visit was already making headlines after his blunt comments regarding the collapse of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
Speaking to reporters prior to the summit, he remarked: “They’ve had a big fight, like two kids in a schoolyard. They don’t know what the f**k they’re doing.”
In response to the moment, Secretary General Mark Rutte - who was sitting next to Trump - said: “Daddy has to sometimes use strong language to get it stopped.”
Rutte later clarified the “Daddy” comment, insisting that he was using a metaphor.
"The 'daddy' thing, I didn't call him daddy," Rutte said. "What I said is that sometimes in Europe, I hear sometimes countries saying, 'Hey Mark, will the US stay with us?' And I said, that sounds a little bit like a small child asking his daddy, 'Are you still staying with the family?'"
Of course, this also came after Trump leaked messages from Rutte, in which the Secretary General showered the POTUS with praise. The messages were quickly met with mockery themselves from social media users.
However, when asked by a reporter if it was "embarrassing" that Trump had shared the message, Rutte replied: "Absolutely not. What's in that message is a factual statement and I'm completely fine with him sharing it."
Trump’s Visit Amid Ceasefire Efforts
Trump’s trip to the Netherlands followed a high-stakes diplomatic push in the Middle East, where he announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran after authorizing strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities to support Israel amid rising tensions.
Trump credited Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, envoy Steve Witkoff, and Qatari mediators for their roles in achieving the ceasefire, which he said came after both nations “almost simultaneously” approached him to end missile exchanges.
The NATO summit itself had been planned ahead of the ceasefire, with European leaders welcoming Trump for a formal dinner and a series of packed diplomatic discussions.