Sign in to wowOwow

Enter the email address that you used when registering at wowOwow.
The password field is case sensitive. Click here if you have forgotten your password.

Please register for wowOwow

Newsletter subscriptions
Sign up to receive wowOwow's weekly newsletter and get our best picks delivered right to your inbox. Our newsletter content is hand-picked by the wowOwow editorial team and provides the top features, news, and commentary from our site. Subscribing to our newsletter is free and safe. We will never share your email or other information with a third-party without your direct consent.
By registering, you indicate that you have read and agree
with our privacy policy and terms of service.
Home › Politics

Michelle Obama Hugs the Queen! | 04/02/2009 11:15 am

Michelle Obama Hugs the Queen, Breaks Royal Etiquette (Photo)

First Lady Michelle Obama’s back-patting embrace with Queen Elizabeth was an unprecedented gesture.
By The Staff at wowOwow.com
©AP

Michelle Obama made an unorthodox move when she hugged the Queen as they got cozy at Buckingham Palace yesterday. But the First Lady wasn’t entirely to blame for "breaking protocol."

On Wednesday, Queen Elizabeth touched her hand to Michelle Obama’s back, and Obama returned the gesture. The move — though seemingly innocent and polite — is a departure from "appropriate" protocol while meeting the Queen. It is normally forbidden under royal etiquette to touch the Queen unless she touches you first, which she did in this instance. However, back patting is an almost unseen gesture. The exchange sparked whispers and gasps abounded.

The Daily Mail:

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.

Michelle Obama and the Queen clearly took to each other at the drinks reception afterwards as they chatted and laughed together.
Normally, it is forbidden under royal protocol to touch the Queen.

The last time the First Lady made waves for breaking tradition was in February when she went sleeveless during her husband’s ceremonial address before Congress. Click here to find out why Michelle Obama didn’t "bare" arms at Buckingham Palace.

2009_0402_ap_michelleobamahugsqueen.jpg

Image © AP

 

Read more about: Barack Obama, Buckingham Palance, Culture, G-20 Summit, Michelle Obama, News, Politics, Queen Elizabeth, Society

30 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Tommi Carrot
Her Majesty was obviously as drawn to Mrs. Obama’s easy charm and deep intellect as the rest of us!  She was smitten and wanted to let Mrs. O. know how welcome she is at the Queen’s home.  Nothing wrong with that gracious gesture of friendly warmth.
By Tommi Carrot on 04/02/2009 11:20 am
C.Ann Perkins
Good for Mrs. O…… we just might set a new thing in Queenship…. and make a hug something special between the important people.   Makes me feel warm inside.
By C.Ann Perkins on 04/02/2009 7:31 pm
DeBúrca obj
"What happened next rocked the world. Or at least Britain. Get a load of how the Daily Mail reported it:

“The Queen started chatting to Michelle Obama. She appeared to look up at her and make a comment about how tall she was,” said an eyewitness. “As she did, she put her arm around Mrs Obama and rested her gloved hand on the small of her back.”

“Almost simultaneously, Mrs Obama put her arm around the Queen’s shoulders rather more firmly. The pair then looked at their feet and appeared to be discussing their shoes.”

“The Queen then dropped her arm and, a few seconds later, Michelle did the same. The entire exchange lasted around eight to ten seconds but was absolutely extraordinary,” gasped the observer."

Sounds cool to me! 

By DeBúrca obj on 04/02/2009 11:35 am
georgia fatwood
Hi DeB…After a day or so listening to what would/would not be cool to do with the Queen, this was a lovely "real" gesture as well as a surprise….I didn’t expect to see that QE is so not tall! I was quite touched by the video clips…in part because I was that much taller than my "incredible shrinking mom" who wore that same QE hairdo forever and who would be so thrilled that MO is our first lady…..Changing of the guard, anyone? 
By georgia fatwood on 04/02/2009 12:18 pm
DeBúrca obj
I didn’t expect the queen to be so tiny, but what really surprised me is how tiny Prince Philip is! He must have shrunk quite a bit with age.
By DeBúrca obj on 04/02/2009 1:07 pm
Lucinda Herbert

DeB,

I noticed the same thing! The Obamas seemed to tower over Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.  I always thought Prince Philip was taller than that, but his bones may have settled with age.  I wonder if I can find anything that tells us how tall the royal couple are. 

I also thought the Obamas looked very comfortable and handled themselves well — I’m glad they got some positive press in the UK.

By Lucinda Herbert on 04/02/2009 3:13 pm
Catherine Kaiman
I’m not surprised, I suspected the Queen would be drawn to Michelle Obama.  Both are gracious women.
By Catherine Kaiman on 04/02/2009 11:45 am
Barbara B
Sounds cool to me too.
By Barbara B on 04/02/2009 11:51 am
Marva Marva
I don’t blame the Queen. I am crushing on my First Lady too! President Obama can stop complaining about all the shoes shes buys now as clearly it is important to diplomacy.
By Marva Marva on 04/02/2009 12:04 pm
Maurine H
I love it!! Good for the Queen and good for the First Lady! They were both telling the world that it’s a new day!
By Maurine H on 04/02/2009 12:40 pm
Robin P
Right on, Maurine H.  It’s a new day!  So good to see.
By Robin P on 04/02/2009 1:26 pm
georgia fatwood
Hi Mo…ain’t it the truth….Ms. Obama’s approval numbers are over the moon….as well they should be….wonder if the queen will get a little bounce in her numbers due to that little pat…..?
By georgia fatwood on 04/02/2009 1:27 pm
Robin P
I am an Anglophile.  Lived & worked in the UK for years, and I dig the Royals.  HRH definitely learned from the Diana years to embrace other’s.  I’m sure that this was not an impromptu moment, and that Lizbet expected the gesture, and agreed, in turn to respond warmly.  Kudos to both Royal Highnesses!
By Robin P on 04/02/2009 1:00 pm
M J
I am so happy that Mrs. Obama and the Queen of England got along so well. My dearly departed mother was about the same size as the Queen and I can just see her standing next to Mrs. O wondering how she could be so tall and asking her what size shoes she wears too. I think it was an endearing moment for both the Queen and Mrs. O.
By M J on 04/02/2009 1:03 pm
caj p
I think the whole thing was wonderful.  I am from the UK originally and this kind of thing is not done at all by the Queen or to the Queen under normal circumstances.  It showed the Queen and Michelle obviously got along very well and liked each other…it was a very special moment and not all what was expected.  I read in the UK press that the Queen’s ladies in waiting had never seen the Queen in 57 years do anything like that before and they were amazed.  So I think the President and the First Lady did America proud during this visit and what an impact they will have had around the world.  Great job Mr President and First Lady I am so proud of you.
By caj p on 04/02/2009 1:57 pm
12next ›last »