Donald Trump's 7-word exchange with Melania at Pope's funeral sparks 'side eye'

Donald Trump and were seated on the front row for the Pope's funeral today, as they joined fellow leaders and royals in mourning. With footage of the 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. First Lady 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 Melania in a quiet moment. A lip-reading expert has now worked out what the world leader was saying.

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Professional Nicola Hickling told 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 minutes before the funeral that caught viewers' attention.

Photographs released by the Ukrainian presidency showed the - without aides - in the ornate setting of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. The pair pulled up two chairs and sat down just metres from where the '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.

Speaking after the funeral, Zelensky said it had been a "very symbolic meeting" had the "potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results". He posted to X: "Hoping for results on everything we covered. Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out."

As well as being given a prime position during the ceremony, Trump also stood out among the mourners for his choice of a blue suit for the funeral.

In a sea of all black, Trump was easily seen in his navy blazer and matching trousers, which some viewers described as 'disrespectful'.

"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. It's 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."

As well as speaking to the Ukrainian President, Trump was also seen in a huddle with British Prime Minister and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Kensington Palace revealed that 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.

The VIPs were in a separate section from the hundreds of thousands of members of the public who descended on Rome for the event. While Dignitaries were sitting on the the right-hand side of the square, next to St Peter's Basilica.

Those with the best seats at the service were Those with the best seats were Javier Milei, president of Francis' native Argentina, Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Italian President Sergio Mattarella, representing the country that surrounds the Vatican City state.

Representing British royalty, the Prince of Wales was sitting next to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the service. While Keir Starmer was sat in the fifth row with his wife Victoria.

The decision for the heir to the throne to attend a papal funeral is in keeping with modern tradition. attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005 on behalf of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, when he was the Prince of Wales.

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