Michelle Obama Touches Queen, Causes Media To Panic

During one of the Obamas’ formal meetings with Queen Elizabeth II, Michelle Obama happened to gently pat the Queen on her shoulder after a photo-op. Since touching the Queen is traditionally just not done, no one is sure what to make of it, so of course the response has been an avalanche of snotty criticism and nervous hand fluttering, as if Michelle had tongued the Queen in front of a whole stadium like someone else we know cough Al Gore cough. Video of the momentous three-second affair:

The embrace happened after their first meeting, where Michelle, wearing a reserved black Isabel Toledo skirt and top, curtseyed to the Queen and by all accounts, charmed the corgi-fur off her. Later, the two women posed for photos and that’s when the offending/non-offending touch occurred.

According to one of the Queen’s staff, it was indeed a two-sided snuggle, not just Michelle getting all grabby.

“It was a mutual and spontaneous display of warm and affectionate appreciation between the Queen and Michelle Obama. They had already met more formally but the reception was very much an informal occasion and it was an appropriate gesture.”

But others are saying it was a big mistake. Way back in the day, people thought that royalty were divine and had a healing touch, so touching them meant taking something from them without permission. Of course now we know royalty aren’t magical, just inbred, but the custom lives on. Point being, Queen Elizabeth doesn’t get touched a lot so it’s probably true that she “looked surprised” when Michelle put her arm around her.

Meanwhile the media has largely ignored the fact that London has been wracked by violent protest, with around 111 arrests reported after protesters vandalized the Royal Bank Of Scotland and after various protester struggles with police. But full scale class war and angry protesters chanting “Abolish Money” are soooo boring, especially when you have a story about heads of state playing grab-ass. Next up, Chavez and the Duke of Edinburgh share a sunset carriage ride!

Did Michelle Obama break royal protocol by giving the Queen a hug? [Daily Mail]
The Queen and Mrs. Obama: A Breach in Protocol [Time]
Michelle Obama Wears Toledo and a Bouffant to Meet the Queen [NY Mag]