The First Lady
Britons' Interest in Michelle Obama Grows After Royal Meeting
By Mary Jordan
LONDON -- Michelle Obama, dubbed "Mighty Michelle" and the "new Jacqueline Kennedy" by British media, has dared to do what few have even considered: She put her arm around the queen.
In photos blasted on front pages and television screen, Queen Elizabeth II and Obama are shown in an embrace at a reception Wednesday.
"Protocol seems to be dispensed with when the Obamas come to town," said the Times of London, which noted that the queen seemed particularly comfortable with the first lady and "put her hand on the back of Mrs. Obama, who did the same for a few moments."
When Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating put his arm around the queen in 1992, he was chastised as "Lizard of Oz."
"In this democratic age, the queen will go along with anything," said Kenneth Rose, a well-known royal biographer. "But like most members of the royal family, she doesn't like to be touched. It doesn't come naturally to press the flesh."
Posted at 12:06 PM ET on Apr 2, 2009
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Posted by: KheshireKat | April 2, 2009 7:45 PM
BUSH-CHENEY 'TORTURE MATRIX' HIT HILLARY '08 RALLY?
Posted by: scrivener50 | April 2, 2009 5:24 PM
Another example of the media's spin on the Obama presidency, instead of telling it like it is "the Obama's lack of foreign experience showed in the manner in which they showed ignorance over protocol" we see this piece of cotton candy trash and the idea of giving them an iPod is another disgrace; I guess we can be glad it wasn't an Xbox. Even third world leaders know how to conduct themselves
Posted by: Ethicist | April 2, 2009 5:05 PM
Welcome to the 21st century, Your Royal Majesty. Since 1776, with the exception of the Bush Crime Family, Americans do not put up with that "Royal Jazz".
Posted by: thebobbob | April 2, 2009 5:05 PM
Just sorry Michelle wasn't slammed to the floor by the Queen's guards.
Posted by: CayC | April 2, 2009 3:54 PM
The Obamas should be impeached and thrown out for this!! Its awful...just awful.. Who gives a fig about the economy and all the unemployed nation of whiners.
Posted by: hayden1 | April 2, 2009 3:18 PM
Wow, the queen is REALLY "letting it all hang out" now isn't she?
Posted by: JRM2 | April 2, 2009 2:37 PM
I think the Queen is still a virgin. Therefore no man, no woman, no lesbian, no gay can touch her.
Posted by: scooterlibre | April 2, 2009 2:06 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
I'm deeply embarrassed for our country. I should write the queen a letter of apology.
I'm just ashamed.
I'm just an average Joe American and I know better that to touch the queen.