The rules are set in stone, and so the eagerly watching British media sputtered and then proceeded to wet themselves when the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, briefly put her hand on the back of Queen Elizabeth II as the two chatted at a reception. Etiquette is quite stern about this.
("Whatever you do, don't touch the Queen!")
Here is the actual stone the rules come from. It was dug up from the dungeon at Buckingham Palace.
However, I do believe they missed the BIGGEST exception to that rule. Given to Mrs. Obama the day we won THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. *WINK* WE ARE SO PROUD MICHELLE!
They drone on...as they usually do.
"Of course, there are corollaries to this. One must certainly touch the Queen if the monarch offers her hand (though you should return this not with a firm handshake but just a touch). On Wednesday, Michelle Obama put her hand on the Queen only after the Queen had placed her own hand on the First Lady's back as part of their conversation. So there is room for theological argument as to whether the American reciprocity of touch was allowable given the social dynamics of the situation."
PERMISSION GRANTED BY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
"Still, the sight of anyone apparently touching the Queen with anything more than a limp handshake is enough to send the British (or traditionalists in the old Commonwealth) twittering."
I don't mind seeing English twittering. Mrs. Obama you have my personal blessing and support. They will get over it.
In addition we ask that you quit referring to President Obama and The First Lady as 'American Royalty.' According to the U.S. Constitution we do not confer title to our citizens and to do so is degrading.
5 comments:
Well done Michelle!
But you forgot to ask " excuse me Lizzy, but can you remind me when were you elected?"
Intentions aside it does somewhat speak to the American people's reputation as uncouth.
Joe 2.0
You are way off here. It was so cool what Michelle did - natural, human, and to hell with tradition and defference is what it said to me - and I guess most folks
And American they most certainly are - but the Obamas are seen as much more than just that. If Michelle were uncooth, count me in!
And America President a first lady we brits near all just love - I never thought id see it.
Watched a film report on UK Channle 4 last niht of Michelle at a tought ineer city all girl, mostly black school. She was electric - inpirational to me via TV. Heaven knows how she inpired these girls
Some of you Yankees dont know how lucky you are - yet!
Thanks for the great feedback from both of you.
I am proud of our First Lady.
Have to agree with Joe on this one. The point of this trip, as are most foreign trips of representatives of the US -- esp the President -- was diplomacy. Protocol no longer has to be formal, but it does have to show respect. It exists for a reason, and an ignorance of protocol, shown by both Mrs. Obama and the president on this trip, makes leaders look foolish and reflects badly on their countries, at the very least. Let's hope that not all of the time-honored rules of diplomacy are thrown out of the window because the new guys are trying to be cool.
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