04/01/2009 2:30 pm
POV
Barack and Michelle Obama Meet the Queen
© Getty Images
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.
- Email this Post
- login or register to post comments
112 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment
WOW neglects to mention that Obama’s give to her was an IPOD ( she already has one)!!! Now they can share it with Browns DVD’s that will not work in the UK
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/toby_harnden/blog/2009/04/01/barack_obamas_gift_for_the_queen_an_ipod_your_majesty
POLITICAL THEATER The normally savvy media mavens on Team Obama blundered badly on the opening day of his European trip, scheduling his only open event for 5:15 a.m. EDT, which forced the mainstream and cable morning news programs to fill endless hours showing live protests in London and discussing first lady Michelle Obama’s "green pencil skirt."
Unlike President Bush’s White House communications team, which usually timed press conferences abroad to coincide with the U.S. morning programs, the Obama operation kicked off the president’s first day in Britain while most Americans were still asleep. What’s more, the president banned most reporters from nearly every event he held on a day busy with bilateral talks with foreign leaders, and even held cameras at bay for his visit to Buckingham Palace to meet the queen.
The 24-hour cable shows began their morning programs with endless footage of hooligans clashing with British bobbies.
"They’re the only pictures being shown out of London right now," said Christiane Amanpour, CNN’s chief international correspondent. But anchor Christine Romans assured viewers: "There’s a lot of other hard work going on behind closed doors," although a split-screen showed only the raging protest in the streets of the city’s financial district.
S. J., are the days gone when "real gifts" were given by our Presidents and First Ladies? What about a piece of baccarrat crystal? What about an original painting by an American artist? Tony Bennett has beautiful art!
An Ipod? Once again I am disappointed!
Obama’s to Queen Ipod = American technology
Queen to Obama Framed picture of Queen and husband
Seems right to me
Obama’s to Queen Ipod = American technology
Queen to Obama Framed picture of Queen and husband
Seems right to me
But did ya hear, its an island, about the size of Oregon, in the North Atlantic?!?!?!
See there is change…you learn something ‘new’ every day!!!
Mary…you gotta love this one….just about as good as "Banking Queen" and "Movin on Up"!!!!
http://www.thefoxnation.com/politics/2009/04/01/must-see-hot-new-video
"If Sasha and Malika, the 0bama daughters, had given an iPod to the Queen, that would have been cute.
But for our President and First Lady to give an iPod to the Queen, is, at best, tacky.
Say what you want about Bush 43, at least he was smart enough to let the professionals in the Office of Protocol take the lead on things like this."
Seems some Americans are embarrassed:
"The US protocol office has alot to learn. First you address the Queen as "Her Majestry." And DO NOT touch unless invited, I imagine the Ipod went into the garbage. Also, it was loaded with Omaba speeches..I am sure she does want to throw-up!!! No wonder the Brits still call us the colonies…Sorry, the Obamas do not have the class and etc. Sorry Great Britain for our stupid mistakes."