Our Hands-On First Lady Touches the Queen

Enough about the clothes and another sleeveless portrait take with the frumpy G-20 wives.

Our First Lady is defying protocol in the most unusual way. It's a major no-no to touch the Queen. But Michelle Obama fearlessly expressed herself and put her arm around Queen Elizabeth in a gesture of simple humanity.

Evidently protocol has been relaxed somewhat at the Palace.  The Queen has made clear in recent years that she does not expect people to curtsy or bow any more, however, the "no-touch" rule has always been sacrosanct. Members of the public introduced to the Queen are told they should wait until she extends her hand for them to take it and kissing is totally frowned upon.

The Brits are pretty mixed about Mrs. Obama's gesture, as these reader comments from the Daily Mail indicate:

Obviously Mrs Obama thinks she is very special indeed. Protocol is protocol and she should not think that she's above it any more than anyone else is. I'm sure there are many more protocols surrounding Mr Obama than there are surrounding the Queen and there'd probably be a death if anyone broke those. Address your ego Mrs O.

- Karen, London, 2/4/2009 6:54

Sometimes Her Majesty looks like she needs a nice cuddle.
- Colin, Newcastle Upon Tyne, ENGLAND, 2/4/2009 7:07

I do not care if anyone says anything negative about the Obama's. Il love them. Their excitement about meeting the queen is palpable. We should be proud.
- Joy, Kent, 2/4/2009 6:19

Actually, there's a bit of a controversy about who touched whom first. 

According to eyewitnesses, the exchange occurred as the Queen was waiting in the
Throne Room following the official group picture with the national leaders here for the G20 Summit.

One said: 'There was a bit of a bottleneck as all of the leaders filed out so the Queen started chatting to Michelle Obama. She appeared to look up at her and make a comment about how tall she was.

'As she did, she put her arm around Mrs Obama and rested her gloved hand on the small of her back.'

Almost simultaneously, Mrs Obama put her arm around the Queen's shoulders rather more firmly.

'The pair then looked at their feet and appeared to be discussing their shoes.

'The Queen then dropped her arm and, a few seconds later, Michelle did the same. The entire exchange lasted around eight to ten seconds but was absolutely extraordinary.'

No-one - including the ladies-in-waiting standing nearby - could believe their eyes. In 57 years, the Queen has never been seen to make that kind of gesture and it is certainly against all protocol to touch her.

But the Queen returned the gesture...gasp! And history was made once again. 

Comments

[HeatherErin]

As a British citizen as well as a US citizen, I'm delighted that they seem to be getting on that well. To be honest, that pose looks entirely natural for both of them, and I think that it will have certainly done the Queen, who must feel terribly isolated from humanity most of the time, good.

And after all, it's not as if she got her bum pinched.