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So I live in America and happen to enjoy watching the news and all day today I've been hearing about is the interaction between first lady michelle Obama and the queen of England in which they shared a half hug and how everyone is going insane over it. In watching interviews with British reporters it keeps coming across as though the queen is some untouchable grumpy old woman from whom this show of affection is rather unexpected. History shows that assumption to be untrue but I digress.
So allow me to ask why is this such a big deal like what made it so newsworthy.

Long answer: American media perceived it as, at best, a "breach of protocol" or, at worst, a display of gross impertinence. You could read anything you like into it: cultural ignorance, relaxed attitudes towards the monarchy, relaxed attitudes of the monarchy - the fact is, it was just two people being friendly, who just happen to have been two rather famous women.

Short answer: Slow news day. The Obamas are well-liked in the UK so there's been a bit of discussion about it here, mostly about how mental some of the American outlets have been about it.

They're a funny bunch.

The official guide (roya.gov.uk) rather disingenuously suggests that there is no formal protocol when meeting HMQ.

We all know that's utter rubbish.

One of the alleged reasons that HM didn't like Kate Middleton was that her mother said “Pleased to meet you” instead of “How do you do” when being introduced to the royals.

It's not the first time that HM's been touched in public. Who was that colonial prime minister that pinched her bum recently?

The Royals, courtesy of Princes Phillip and Harry, have a reputation for being a bit racist. The image of Queeny and Michelle walking along with their arms round each other is not one that fits well with that reputation.

It's just the whole 'Britney kisses Madonna' fiasco all over again.

flaw07 wrote:it keeps coming across as though the queen is some untouchable grumpy old woman from whom this show of affection is rather unexpected..

you've answered your own question there mate

Jean Eugene Roberts wrote:It's just the whole 'Britney kisses Madonna' fiasco all over again.

Now, if Queenie and Michelle had publically snogged each other, that would have been worthy of column inches!

Especially if the Queen had been wearing one of Britney's costumes.

pcwells wrote:
Especially if the Queen had been wearing one of Britney's costumes.

That image is never coming out of my head...

Now I'm going to be aroused for the rest of the day.

Jean Eugene Roberts wrote:It's just the whole 'Britney kisses Madonna' fiasco all over again.

That's the funniest thing I've read this week .

Jean Eugene Roberts wrote:

pcwells wrote:
Especially if the Queen had been wearing one of Britney's costumes.

That image is never coming out of my head...

Now I'm going to be aroused for the rest of the day.

First Lommy posing in Nuts magazine, and now this. And it's been nice weather here for three straight days. It's the end of times, I tells ya, the end of times!

Good God, either the First Lady is a giant or Queen Liz is a midget. A bit of both, I suspect.

Replicant wrote:Good God, either the First Lady is a giant or Queen Liz is a midget. A bit of both, I suspect.

It's the Queen who's small. She's a very old lady.

I was told this lunchtime that the first lady is 5' 11", so I think it's a bit of both.

Over six feet in heels, then.

Tomo wrote:First Lommy posing in Nuts magazine, and now this. And it's been nice weather here for three straight days. It's the end of times, I tells ya, the end of times!

You mean you didn't already know that Jean was freaky? :p