The Queen, the Obamas and the G20 Summit, April 2009

[Al_bina]

It has been determined by Daily Mail that Michelle Obama breaks royal protocol by giving the Queen a hug | Mail Online

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.

[BeatrixFan]

I dread the next visit - what if *gasp* the Queen kisses Michelle on the cheek?

[Skydragon]

HM is quite entitled to do so, (she might need a box to stand on), if it is MO who kisses HM - off to the tower!

[wbenson]

Originally Posted by BeatrixFan

I dread the next visit - what if *gasp* the Queen kisses Michelle on the cheek?

She'd need a stool or something like that to manage it, I think!

[Lady Ann]

Thank you so much for the info. Did not look like HM minded much at all.... Hope they had a good visit ...the first of many to come....

[rmay286]

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?

[Chimene]

Someone touch the queen and the world did not come to an end, imagine that...

[Lumutqueen]

Originally Posted by Chimene

Someone touch the queen and the world did not come to an end, imagine that...

Shocking I know.
Wonderful pictures thank you everyone.
x

[carlota]

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.

[GillW]

Originally Posted by tommy1716

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?

On the new website, you can search the Court Circular here
Search the Court Circular

[Roderick]

Originally Posted by rmay286

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?

Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh are the`real royalty`. Her Majesty does not concern herself with any kind of`approval rating`. However popular Barack Obama appears to be let us not forget he is a politician. The Queen and the royal family will be here long after he is out of office which will be in either four or eight short years.

[Skydragon]

Originally Posted by rmay286

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.

However popular Mr Obama is at the moment, as with any politician that can change in a very short time!

[iowabelle]

I notice in some other pictures that Mr. Obama was patting Camilla on the back, too. Camilla was smiling, so it didn't seem to offend her.

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.

[zembla]

I thought the moment between Michelle and The Queen was cute, The Queen seemed equally smitten in conversation with Hillary Clinton. I don't blame her for liking powerful women, she probably relates to them.

[tommy1716]

this is taken from the daily mail online article

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman insisted last night that the Queen wasn't remotely offended by the contact between herself and Mrs Obama, however.
'It was a mutual and spontaneous display of warm and affectionate appreciation between the Queen and Michelle Obama,' they said.
'They had already met more formally but the reception was very much an informal occasion and it was an appropriate gesture.'



Did Michelle Obama break royal protocol by giving the Queen a hug? | Mail Online

[Mermaid1962]

And vice versa.

Originally Posted by iowabelle

I
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.

[Vecchiolarry]

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

[Russophile]

Originally Posted by zembla

The Queen seemed equally smitten in conversation with Hillary Clinton. I don't blame her for liking powerful women, she probably relates to them.

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.

[Sister Morphine]

Originally Posted by carlota

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.

Appalled? Come on.

[Mermaid1962]

So true. I sincerely hope that his strategies succeed, whatever my personal view of the man's politics.

Originally Posted by Vecchiolarry

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