On Monday, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump welcomed King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima to the White House.

But it didn’t take long before one detail immediately caught everyone’s attention.

Tensions between the United States and Europe remain high, especially following Donald Trump’s recent remarks about NATO, where he has even threatened to pull out of the alliance.

Yet despite the strained climate, European royals continue to arrive at the White House to meet with the president. And ahead of a planned visit later this month by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, another royal couple has already stepped into the spotlight.

On Monday, Donald Trump and Melania Trump welcomed King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima to the White House.

While the Dutch royals weren’t in Washington for a full state visit, their working trip still included a formal dinner at the White House. The couple arrived just after 7 p.m., greeting the president and first lady with a warm handshake.

“Thank you for having us,” the King said, according to pool reporters.

The moment that sparked buzz
The meeting itself was meant to highlight strong ties between the U.S. and the Netherlands, but in the age of viral moments, it was a small visual detail that ended up stealing the spotlight.

And as always, the internet had a lot to say.

During a routine photo op, many noticed something unusual: Trump appeared noticeably shorter than King Willem-Alexander, despite long insistence that he’s 6-foot-3.

The Dutch king is widely reported to stand between 6’2” and 6’3” himself.

In the images, Trump stood slightly ahead of the group, by about a foot, leading some to speculate that the positioning may have been intentional.

Official records from last year listed the president’s height at 75 inches (6’3”), which would put him nearly eye-to-eye with the King. But in these latest photos, the difference looked more like two to three inches.

Why height can change over time
The viral moment also sparked broader conversations about aging and height.

“Trump is almost 80. He’s probably lost at least a couple of inches from his prime,” wrote one social media user.

“Height is the last thing I’ll worry about him,” another added.

“It’s not the height that impresses but the style. The King and Queen are so much more stylish and dignified,” a third person wrote.

According to experts from Harvard University, gradual height loss is common over time, especially after age 40.

Factors can include:

Spinal disc compression
Bone density loss (like osteoporosis)
Muscle weakening and posture changes
Flattening of the feet’s arches
While small changes are normal, medical experts say losing several inches could point to underlying issues.

“While multiple factors contribute to this ‘shrinkage,’ maintaining bone density to help prevent osteoporosis and improving posture are two ways to stand a little taller,” said Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor at Harvard Health Publishing.

A unique twist
Before arriving in Washington, the royal couple made a stop in Philadelphia, where they were welcomed by Governor Josh Shapiro.

There, they toured Independence Hall and visited the Liberty Bell as part of the ongoing celebrations marking America’s 250th anniversary.

In a unique twist, the King even helped fly the plane himself, continuing a long-standing tradition. According to People, King Willem-Alexander is a licensed pilot and he has previously flown commercial aircraft. Once, he shared what he enjoys most about being in the cockpit:

“You can completely disengage and concentrate on something else.”

He added: “You have an aircraft, passengers and crew. You have responsibility for them. You can’t take your problems from the ground into the skies.”

The Dutch royal couple’s visit comes just a few weeks before King Charles III and Queen Camilla are scheduled to make an official state visit to the United States in late April. It will be the King’s first state visit to America since ascending the throne.