Michelle Obama Touches Queen Elizabeth

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The First Lady come from a family that is not afraid to show thier feelings.So She will always touch people and her husband because you can see the love ozzing from the two of them.

Patricia Allen of CT 4:38PM April 02, 2009

Haven't you heard? Americans are no longer subjects of the British monarchy. The Queen of England may or may not follow custom as she sees fit. Americans should act in the same respectful, deferential manner which we direct toward all others; especially to the elderly. But we are not held to bowing, curtseying, addressing monarchs as "Your Highness" et al. I suspect that the aged Mrs. Windsor would not have returned the first lady's embrace if she was offended.
Speaking of all this nonsense...why in the world do Americans refer to Elton John as "Sir" Elton? Or Paul McCartney as "Sir"? Knights or the British realm are not titled once they enter the US, where the trappings of nobility were thrown out centuries ago. To refer to these people...no matter how gifted...as "Sir" is a mere affectation that should mean nothing to free men and women.

Dennis R. White of WA 4:34PM April 02, 2009

and Michelle Obama returned the gesture.
The AP press says:
Buckingham Palace spokesman who asked not to be identified because of palace policy said he could not remember the last time the queen had displayed such public affection with a first lady or dignitary.
"It was a mutual and spontaneous display of affection," he said. "We don't issue instructions on not touching the queen."
The Queen touched her hand to Michelle Obama's back, and the gesture was then returned. Royal etiquette dictates that the Queen not be touched unless she reaches out first.
The daily mail says:
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 she didn't seem to mind a bit and was smiling and joking throughout,' the eyewitness said.

geetha of CA 4:31PM April 02, 2009

why the world thinks the US is arrogant. The United Kingdom has made a decision to keep a part of their culture & history, and you sir are questioning that decision because our first lady doesn't know royal protocol?

Larry of CA 4:08PM April 02, 2009

Whilst critiquing Ms English's grammar, you wrote "And that's not even to mention the royal princes running Saudi Arabia who have invested in them the unfortunate combination of silly tradition and actual power."
"have invested in"...? Vested, perhaps?
Watch out for stones.

davefromthewestagain 4:04PM April 02, 2009

that Michelle is often seen (gasp) without a handbag. I think one reason for that is so she can have both hands free to touch people---including, apparently, the Queen.
My favorite behavior of hers, though, is this. She holds hands with Barack. A lot.
Watch for it. They are displaying what all husbands and wives should be enjoying with each other.

Muser of NM 4:01PM April 02, 2009

Hooray for Michelle!! The Queen probably loved the hug....maybe the first one she's had in years! I realize protocol is a "necessary evil" in these days, but the warmth shown by these two women should bring a smile to many in the world. We all are, after all, human beings who need to behave more humanly in these times. I applaud them both.

Charlene Hayward of OR 3:59PM April 02, 2009

Jeez, Bob, if I can be so informal as to call you that. Lighten up, loosen your obviously too-tight knickers. Even the Queen of England is hip to 2009. Maybe it's time to capitalize and entitle the first lady. Your tone is too vinegary-sour for such a warm and protocol-changing moment.

Davefromthewest 3:59PM April 02, 2009