During his Presidency, Barack Obama only ever broke security protocol for one person, Queen Elizabeth II on her ninetieth birthday.   

In the debut episode of the new season of the Daily Mail’s podcast “Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things,” royal biographer Robert Hardman shared an intriguing story.

With co-host Kate Williams, Hardman discussed Trump’s forthcoming second state visit, while also reflecting on notable historical meetings between British royals and US presidents.

You can listen to the latest Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things by clicking the player below or here 

A particularly notable meeting occurred in 2016. During his final European tour as president, Obama strategically planned his visit to be the first international leader to congratulate the Queen on her 90th birthday.

Upon learning this, the Queen’s response was characteristically uncomplicated – she and Prince Philip decided to simply ‘pop out’ and pick up the Obamas in a Range Rover when their helicopter arrived at Windsor.

The President’s Secret Service detail were having none of it however, sparking what Hardman called a ‘very serious row’ with the Palace.

He said: ‘The Secret Service said absolutely no way is that happening. The President can only be driven around by us.

During his Presidency, Barack Obama only ever broke security protocol for one person, Queen Elizabeth II on her 90th birthday

The Queen’s response was characteristically straightforward – she and Prince Philip would simply ‘pop out’ and collect the Obamas in a Range Rover when their helicopter landed at Windsor.

The President’s Secret Service detail were having none of it however, sparking what Hardman called a ‘very serious row’ with the Palace

According to the US staff involved with the planning, there was quite a commotion over which vehicle would be used and who would get to drive it.

‘This dilemma went right the way up to Obama himself, who had to decide. He thought, well it obviously means quite a lot to them, so I’ll go in their car.

‘Obama flew in and for the only time in his entire presidency, he and the First Lady were driven, not in a bullet-proof, bomb-proof whatever, but in a Range Rover driven by Prince Philip.

‘Obama and the Queen were in the back, Philip was at the wheel and Michelle was in the front – and off they went, tootling around the Park.’

Obama later wrote about the incident in his memoirs, recalling how the Queen casually told him ‘I’m sure there’s some rule about who sits where, but sit wherever you like.’

‘It was very cordial and friendly’, Hardman told the podcast.

‘By that point, the Obamas and the Queen and Prince Philip had seen a lot of each other throughout his presidency.

‘There was real rapport there by that point.’

Alongside co-host Kate Williams, Hardman looked ahead to Trump’s upcoming second state visit while exploring other diplomatic encounters between British royalty and US presidents

Hardman said Trump’s upcoming meeting with King Charles should be equally warm, noting they’ve already met several times and ‘get on very well’

Robert Hardman: ‘Trump and Charles get on very well. There will be an element of – nice to see you again Mr President’

Hardman said Trump’s upcoming meeting with King Charles should be equally warm, noting they’ve already met several times and ‘get on very well’.

Trump’s most recent meeting with a member of the Royal Family was Prince William at the 2024 reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

The royal biographer said: ‘Trump and Charles get on very well. There will be an element of – nice to see you again Mr President.

‘Nonetheless, it’s still a huge deal for both sides.’

To listen or watch the special episode in full, search for Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things, wherever you get your podcasts.