Now it is a moot point to discuss who was the first to break the protocol: Mrs Obama or Her Majesty. I would say that chances of Her Majesty breaking the protocol are very slim. It would be fair to assume that she had to respond to the immediate situation. Her Majesty had a small room to maneuverI know BeatrixFan! Can you imagine if the Queen had shied away from the First Lady's arm after her own initiative? Why, the Queen would have been branded a "racist" quicker than boiled asparagus (and I said the same on another thread.) ... [snipped]
I tend to agree with you, the bigger fuss is being made here purely on a point of protocol.Now it is a moot point to discuss who was the first to break the protocol: Mrs Obama or Her Majesty. I would say that chances of Her Majesty breaking the protocol are very slim. It would be fair to assume that she had to respond to the immediate situation. Her Majesty had a small room to maneuver. Had Her Majesty made a wrong move, she would have been labelled a "racist", and mass media outlets would have rehashed old stories about Prince Henri's and Princess Michael's attitudes toward people of different races.
Can the Queen break protocol? If she chooses to do something does that not become "protocol" for that moment?Well, let's not make any mistake here - the Queen broke 'protocol'. So thats a fact. I don't think she was seized upon by the first lady, far from it!
Possibly, it is simply not the done thing to lay hands on HM, everyone else (with a few notable exceptions) has managed it over the years. Of the first 3 pages in a search, regarding the 'incident' all report that MO broke protocol.Can the Queen break protocol? If she chooses to do something does that not become "protocol" for that moment?
Do I think it matters a lot, no, but lets not pretend it is all HM's doing.It was an awkward moment when the normally touchy-feely Michelle put her arm around the Queen. Shocked, the Queen raised her arm, lightly patted Michelle on the back, then quickly dropped her arm in a clear sign to Michelle to remove her arm, which Michelle did.
America's First Lady Michelle Obama broke royal protocol during a reception at Buckingham Palace when she placed her arm around the Queen. But rather than take offence, Her Majesty took the unusual step of returning the gesture by putting her arm round Mrs Obama's waist - almost as if to confirm the special relationship the politicians are so keen to play up.
I dread the next visit - what if *gasp* the Queen kisses Michelle on the cheek?
Someone touch the queen and the world did not come to an end, imagine that...
I agree with you on the court circular bit, i can never seem to get the diary of upcoming events to work right. And we've lost the mailbox and inight sections which were quite informative and fun. That being said there are ome really good bits of teh new website, and there is some good information on there such as "a day in the life of..." for most members of the family. That being said alot of the text has clearly just been copy and pasted from the old pages and there are still no pages for the York girls, wouldn't this have been agood chance to add some?
Well, if there's one thing about the G20 summit that's practically guaranteed, it's that the more the Queen embraces (literally and figuratively!) the Obamas, the higher her approval rating will be. I've just read a few comments about the visit on British news sites, and it's amazing to see how the Queen seems to have grown more popular just by being in Barack Obama's presence. In the past, meeting the British monarch would have a similar effect on the standings of lesser leaders. Judging from the general reaction to the Obama visit, I wonder who the real "royalty" is today?
I don't think HMs position has changed just because she met a few more world leaders this week, as for who is the 'real' royalty, HM of course.I've just read a few comments about the visit on British news sites, and it's amazing to see how the Queen seems to have grown more popular just by being in Barack Obama's presence. In the past, meeting the British monarch would have a similar effect on the standings of lesser leaders. Judging from the general reaction to the Obama visit, I wonder who the real "royalty" is today?
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It's good to see that our country's representatives seem to have made a good impression on some other world leaders, including Her Majesty and Clan Windsor.
HM is intelligent and a keen listener, I'm sure she is very well aware that PM Brown will be working with Sec. of State Clinton and she's checking her out.The Queen seemed equally smitten in conversation with Hillary Clinton. I don't blame her for liking powerful women, she probably relates to them.
i was appauled by the lack of protocol that mrs obama showed. i saw them entering the room to meet the queen, and immediately before anything, she jumped to give her her hand. i thought it initially had to be barack the first in greeting the queen, then his wife, but most importantly, i thought they had to wait for the queen to offer her hand first! i couldn't believe she hugged her either. i must admit i was a bit shocked.
Hi,
I would caution everyone not to bank on any approval rating(s) by being associated with President Obama or Mrs. Obama.
As has been pointed out here - "he's a politician and his current popularity can change" and overnight too!!
If his economic solution(s) or any other political strategies fail, then he will be as reviled as Bush or Nixon...
Thanfully, The Queen is above all that.
"Long may she reign!"...
Larry