Congratulations, Mr. Obama.
You didn't nod off during your meetings with leaders of the world.
It makes me feel so confident to have you representing our country. You managed to stay awake. Good for you!
From the New York Daily News:
Both Obamas played the palace Wednesday, but the star who emerged from their first meeting with Queen Elizabeth was the one dubbed Mighty Michelle by the gaga British tabs.
First Lady Michelle Obama was regally cool, and really tall at 6 feet in low heels next to the 5-foot-4 queen in the living quarters of Buckingham Palace. President Obama, characteristically cool, seemed a tad self-conscious in the royal presence.
Michelle Obama skipped the optional curtsy and easily reached out to shake hands with the queen and Prince Philip, while her husband's head bobbed awkwardly during the introductions.
The President, who was fighting off a cold, then appeared to settle on an exaggerated nod in the queen's direction to serve as the optional bow.
It was all in the preparation, President Obama said earlier.
"I'm very much looking forward to meeting" the queen, Obama said, "and as you might imagine, Michelle has been really thinking that through."
...The chitchat at the palace between the First Couple and the royal couple predictably went downhill when Philip chimed in with one of his trademark off-key bloopers.
Elizabeth asked about the Obamas' breakfast and worried that her guests might be tired - "the time lag," the queen said. "You're just trying to stay awake," said Philip.
"He's been busy with meetings," Michelle Obama said, and the President added that "I had breakfast with the Prime Minister, I had meetings with the Chinese, the Russians, [Tory leader] David Cameron. And I'm proud to say I did not nod off in one of the meetings."
Philip then asked, "Can you tell the difference between [the countries' leaders]?" The Obamas were too polite, or too puzzled, to respond.
I don't think Philip's question was a blooper.
I'm wondering the same thing.
Now, about Michelle Obama's royal faux pas...
She threw out protocol and touched the Queen. She also wore a sleeveless dress, a no-no.
Supposedly, Michelle Obama brushed up on "Etiquette Fit For a Queen."
Michelle and the president will try to charm the Queen today -- but they better not give her Royal Highness a fist bump.
The first lady was briefed on the particulars of royal etiquette by state department and White House officials on board Air Force One yesterday ahead of the big meeting with Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace today, the Daily News reported.
Michelle reportedly passed on tips like appropriate small talk and other do's and don'ts to her husband, the paper reported.
British etiquette says "you may not shake the queen's hand, only touch it briefly" and that if the Queen stops eating then everyone else must stop too, the News reported.
Did Michelle forget the "particulars of royal etiquette," or did she intentionally reject them?
Who knows?
It's not as if Michelle's behavior is the stuff of an international incident. I don't think this is the start of the crisis that Joe Biden warned would occur. No need to gird your loins over this.
It's all good.
I do think it's worth remembering how gracefully and perfectly Mrs. Laura Bush conducted herself when the Queen visited the U.S. in 2007. She was such a wonderful first lady.
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