Prince Charles has denied claims that he snubbed US Vice President Mike Pence while greeting guests at the World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem, which were sparked by a viral video. The clip, which almost immediately turned into a meme, shows the heir to the British throne greeting dignitaries. He seemingly passed by Pence and his wife Karen without a handshake before a short chit-chat with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
However, as Clarence House, representing Charles and his wife Camilla, explained he was not ignoring the US’ No. 2, as many commenters concluded: the pair had a "warm and friendly" chat before meeting at the event.
"Shortly before the Yad Vashem memorial event began the prince and Vice President Pence and his wife had a warm and friendly chat, which is why they did not greet each other again in the room”, the statement read.
This explanation was backed up by Pence's Press Secretary Katie Waldman, who posted photo proof of their chat earlier, showing the two talking amicably and smiling.
“This is not true. VP and Prince Charles spoke prior to entering the event floor and after his remarks as well", she tweeted.
However, netizens did not seem to be satisfied with this explanation.