Jacqueline Whitmore
Protocol expert and author
When Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II said to the President and Mrs. Obama, “Let’s keep in touch,” no one suspected that she meant it quite literally. When one thinks of the queen, “touchy feely” usually doesn’t enter one’s mind. Until now.
Her Royal Highness made it crystal clear yesterday at Buckingham Palace in London that she likes the First Lady very much as she gently put her arm around her waist. In general, it is a breach in protocol if someone embraces the queen first. However, in this case, it was the queen who made the first move. Michelle simply reciprocated with a hug that looked like something you would see a daughter give to her mother. This bold move both shocked and warmed the hearts of all who witnessed the warm embrace.
Historically, the queen is not known for showing affection in public, or in private for that matter. It’s been said that her son, Prince Charles, complained on one occasion that he wasn’t given enough affection as a child. Could it be that the queen is starting to mellow as she ages or does she simply admire qualities in Michelle that she sees in herself? After all, if you mix brilliance, strength and confidence with a little bit of kindness the two women make the perfect pair!
Editor's note: Jacqueline Whitmore is founder of The Protocol School of Palm Beach and author of Business Class: Etiquette Essentials for Success at Work .
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Well I am kind of late, as a good Brazilian, for this comment, which btw has nothing to do with this tops, but it was the closest i could get:
Regarding the G-20 picture with the Queen, I think the order of sitting is: the present host in one side of the Queen and the last year's host on the other. That is why Gordon Brown and Lula are sandwiching the Queen... the rest of gang whoever gets there first...
It's time for protocol to welcome the 21st Century. Many things are now totally out of fashion, chivalry is dead, so let's revise the standard which very far out of date. All this tradition is just plain out of touch, like touching the Queen! It's time for the Queen to change the rules, isn't it her perogative to do so? If I'm wrong here I stand correctly, but the Queen's word is the Queen's command!
Maybe the Queen was showing encouragement to Michelle who has never been in situations like this before and might be feeling just a tad overwhelmed. Whatever the reason, I'm glad the Queen likes Michelle and I hope that we can now all move on to other news.
Even a "Queen" appreicates the affection of touch--someone needs to revisit and revise the "protocol,"--it is definitively "too impersonal and cold." Can't touch the Queen-sounds like something MC Hammer recorded---"You Can't Touch This."
I cannot believe that so much air time is wasted on such a trivial matter. My God, the queen is human like everyone else, she can have more affection for one person than another. Who cares. It is quite common that lots of older people get mellow with age and become more vulnerable. It's great for Michelle Obama who seems to be a very nice person.
It is mellowing with years. As you grow old, the I in you slowly wanes, You become soft and sweet. True ,brilliance, with warmth, strength with affection,confidence with love , go to make a perfect success.