The Obamas Meet the Queen | 04/01/2009 1:30 pm

Barack and Michelle Obama Meet the Queen

By The Staff at wowOwow.com

The first couple received the royal treatment today when they popped in to Buckingham Palace, otherwise known as the home of Queen Elizabeth II. President Obama, who is in London for the G-20 summit, had more than a few nice words to say about her highness and all she represents.

"There’s one last thing that I should mention that I love about Great Britain, and that is the Queen. I’m very much looking forward to meeting her for the first time later this evening … I think in the imagination of people throughout America, I think what the Queen stands for and her decency and her civility, what she represents, that’s very important."

Mr. Obama’s certainly treading carefully with regard to the United Kingdom’s political and royal hierarchy. He was accused last month of snubbing Prime Minister Gordon Brown — even Michelle received flack for the short visit — and made sure today to praise England and the States’ relationship: "There is just an extraordinary affinity and kinship that we have. We owe so much to England, that when you come here there’s that sense of familiarity, as well as difference, that makes it just a special place." Indeed.

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UPDATE: What did the George and Laura Bush give to the Queen when she visited in 2007? Commenter Eric Blair has located this list a Raymond P. Martinez hosts Ask the White House

President and Mrs. Bush gave Her Majesty a bronze statuette “High Desert Princess” with a personal inscription on the bottom of the base. It is a replica of the original life size statue that is located in front of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Ft. Worth, Texas.

President and Mrs. Bush gave The Prince Philip an exclusive sterling silver eagle box by Tiffany & Co. with personal inscription on the inside lid.

President and Mrs. Bush gave Their Majesties a leather presentation box filled with a collection of documents from the National Archives. One of the items was a copy of an original letter from President Roosevelt to her father, King George, written in 1938. There were also photos from previous royal visits and a DVD of the footage from the Queen’s visit to the United States when she was Princess Elizabeth in 1951.

By S.J. Morgan on 04/02/2009 12:08 am

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I’m so impressed……….not!

By Mel Berg on 04/02/2009 5:36 am

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So the Obama ipod gift is basically an updated "photos and DVD" of the royal visit with a bonus 40 show tunes and historic speeches. The signed song book is equilvalent to the letter from the archives. So if the Obamas had thrown in a bronze replica of the Sears Tower, something to represent where they are from LOL like the texas cowgirl statue the Bushes gave, then this gift giving would all be kosher?????????

OK, note to Obamas, before giving anymore gifts please check when the last guy did so you can top him, K?

By C. Aune on 04/02/2009 8:49 am

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I’m more than impressed, S. J.

By deber B on 04/02/2009 11:43 am

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Deber, S.J. really, really impresses you!!!!!

By Dab-a- do on 04/02/2009 12:01 pm

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You might want to reread her post. I am very impressed with the previous presidents gifts!

By deber B on 04/02/2009 12:35 pm

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Nooooooo, S.J.’s research really, really impresses you!!!!!!!

By Dab-a- do on 04/02/2009 1:01 pm

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Dab-a-do,

‘Tis true, ‘tis true, S.J. really impressed deber (twice even…why duplicated one can only guess… once was enough).

By M J on 04/02/2009 7:40 pm

All of London is thrilled with the Obamas. And, contrary to what many people are saying here, she is a hit over there, including with the Queen.

By Diana T on 04/02/2009 9:19 am

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Diana T, Global news showed a clip here, of First Lady Obama and the Queen with their arms around each other’s waists, and then First Lady Obama gently touched the Queen’s shoulder and smile, which was enthusiastically returned. Very touching scene.

By Catherine Kaiman on 04/02/2009 10:56 am

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I saw that picture, Catherine. And, I think that personally the Queen was tickled to death that it was such a natural gesture towards her.

I know the Obamas are a tall couple, but I was astonished to see how much the Queen and Phillip had shrunk in their old age.

By Diana T on 04/02/2009 11:40 am

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Diana, I have a half sister who was raised in England. I am only 5’4" and feel much like the bigger sister to her. She is so tiny I feel I could pick her up and put her in my gigantic purse sometimes. However, she is a spunky little one and I ADORE her. She is older than I am by several years but appears much younger.

As Suzanne has a special feelings for the French ( which I totally understand), I obviously feel a comradrie with the British. They have such a wonder sense of humor, so dry and so much fun.

By Dab-a- do on 04/02/2009 12:08 pm

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I remember years ago when Princess Margaret and her husband, Armstrong-Jones attended our church. I sat 2 rows behind them and they were so small framed. And, when I saw Prince Charles, I discovered he is a slight man, too.

By Diana T on 04/02/2009 1:39 pm

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Jim and I wondered if it was a lack of nutrition after the war, because my dad was such a tall fellow and sis is a tiny little thing. She said they had wonderful veggies grown in their garden and she grew up in an upper middle-class family so there was no lack of nutritional food. I think she is just more like her mother in size and has dad’s eyes and his athletic ability. For someone so tiny she can really play a mean game of badmiton. Also, don’t we americans just grow "them" bigger. I really hate it that we have so much steriods in our food and othe chemicals.

By Dab-a- do on 04/02/2009 2:31 pm