Touching Tale of International Rapport Between First Lady Michelle Obama and Queen Elizabeth II

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ALERT
by Christine Bowman

Did First Lady Michelle Obama breach royal protocol, and the personal space of Great Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, when she put her arm around her shoulder when they met for tea and photos and an exchange of gifts Wednesday? Was this an American gaffe on a par with President Bush giving German Chancellor Angela Merkel a backrub a few years back?

^{Associated Press Photos}

Obama bashers have depicted the encounter that way, but a Buckingham Palace spokesperson says firmly, no, protocol was not breached and the Queen took no offense. Still, the Queen has had a hands-off policy for 57 years. Eyewitnesses were extremely surprised at the warm gestures the two women shared.

The Daily Mail reported the story in depth and posted several photos. According to their report:

One [eyewitness] said: 'There was a bit of a bottleneck as all of the leaders filed out so the Queen started chatting to Michelle Obama. She appeared to look up at her and make a comment about how tall she was.

'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.'

[And later] ... Michelle Obama and the Queen clearly took to each other at the drinks reception afterwards as they chatted and laughed together.

It seems as though the Queen was first to reach out and touch the First Lady as they chatted and passed through the narrow corridor together.

The LA Times reports the story as follows:

It all started when the 82-year-old Queen Elizabeth, apparently smitten with the 45-year-old first lady, said she hoped they could stay in touch. And then the queen, who has met 12 U.S. presidents and any number of celebrities, broke royal etiquette herself by touching the first lady on the back. So, being an American, Mrs. Obama reciprocated the back-pat.

... "It was a mutual and spontaneous display of affection," said a [palace] spokesman, adding that he could not remember the last time the queen offered such a public display of warmth. 

To no avail, the American media railed against Michelle Obama when she gave a fist bump to her husband when they were campaigning in 2008. The pair's opinion poll ratings only  soared. Will reporters and pundits ever learn to back off and allow the First Lady's personal warmth and natural gestures to work their magic, without commentary?

If First Lady Michelle Obama can humanize and warm up international relationships, and Queen Elizabeth II is receptive to that, more power to her! In the wake of the Bush Administration, the United States needs the biggest bump it can possibly get in the international opinion polls.

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ALERT

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