Michelle Obama Hugs Queen Elizabeth, Stirs Controversy (PHOTOS, POLL, VIDEO)

*Scroll down for photo, video and poll*

4/3:

"The Daily Show"'s John Oliver did this send-up of the Michelle Obama-Queen touch on Thursday night's show.

4/2:
UPDATE:

Buckingham Palace has issued a response to the controversy, denying that there are rules about touching the Queen. From the Associated Press:

A Buckingham Palace spokesman who asked not to be identified because of palace policy said he could not remember the last time the queen had displayed such public affection with a first lady or dignitary.

"It was a mutual and spontaneous display of affection," he said. "We don't issue instructions on not touching the queen."

***
Much is being made of Michelle Obama and Queen Elizabeth's embrace. As the First Lady and Queen chatted at the G-20 reception on Wednesday night, the Queen touched her hand to Michelle Obama's back, and the gesture was then returned. Royal etiquette dictates that the Queen not be touched unless she reaches out first. Patting the Queen's back, however, is almost unprecedented behavior in Buckingham Palace.

But did the Queen like it?

Maybe. The Daily Mail offers this eyewitness account:

No-one - including the ladies-in-waiting standing nearby - could believe their eyes. In 57 years, the Queen has never been seen to make that kind of gesture and it is certainly against all protocol to touch her.

'But she didn't seem to mind a bit and was smiling and joking throughout,' the eyewitness said.

WATCH:

PHOTOS:

Time.com offers this explanation:

Another defense for Michelle Obama, of course, is that she is not a subject of the Queen. (Australians, despite referendums attempting to turn themselves into a republic, still recognize the Queen as their head of state.) The First Lady of the United States is not required to curtsey before her or any other crowned head. In any case, the touch lasted just a second or two, and the Queen did not seem particularly perturbed -- though she appeared slightly surprised as she drew away.

What do you think of this gesture?

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Was it inappropriate for Michelle Obama to touch Queen Elizabeth?

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No way

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Michelle Obama is well-known for her hugs. See a slideshow of them here.

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Comments

[AfricanD1]

11:54 AM on 04/28/2009

I see no reason why the queen can't be touched. She should be especially touched by her head. How can you function/dwell among people for years without being touched by someone. What does that say about you as a person. Shouldn't she be influential enough to change those rules. I think its just selfish. I don't care who touched who first, i don't think she's untouchable. Just get a life people.

[carriesheridan1952]

04:55 PM on 04/26/2009

it was absolutely appropriate for Michelle to be as affectionate with the Queen...

As She Always Has Been with EVERYbody -

it wasn't about protocol - it was al about the authenticity -
the Queen is a grandmotherly type trying to do her best to fulfill what she feels as being her obligation -

[and many have affection around the world for how well she has served England and sacrificed to fulfill a responsibility thrust on her as a very young woman] -

what older Grandmotherly type woman does NOT need a hug, need sincere affection, from a young, lovely, dynamic, powerful woman married to a powerful man -

i think the Queen was as enchanted by the very real, warm and wonderful Michelle Obama - as barack obama was 20 years ago and as we fortunate few who've been lucky enough to be in the same room with her are -

she is warm and wonderful and smart and fun and communal and The Best Of Us -

[mark12345]

05:17 PM on 04/08/2009

H.R.H. Lizzie Deuce is the most prolific sociopolitical, religious symbol the world has ever known. Larger than Jesus, The Budda, and the entire pantheon of Hindu Gods combined. Her likeness is engraved on currency, paper and coin to the tune of trillions.
We need not even count stamps. Lizzie Deuce is also the most contrived persona on earth as well as it’s greatest welfare recipient.
My point is that the Brit power circle planed this.
Prior to The Obama’s, Lizzie Deuce was the world’s biggest draw, Yep, even bigger than U2. This dated symbol of a western caste/class system has been in need of a 21st century retrofitting. This served a dual purpose in that President Obama made a statement to a worldwide audience to the effect that the closed door dealings of the Anglo-American brotherhood had come to an end. Yea right. I bet this scenario is well understood in the boardrooms of world power.
Come on, Philip (notorious racist) Mountbatten. Comparing himself to Michelle Obama “just like me. PLEASE! Look the UK royals almost “Blew up the spot” with the Diana fiasco. They won’t catch this Obama train late though. Oh no, this is much too clever. There was no mistake made here. The Anglo-American populous and The Obama’s “Got Played”…Big time.

[jaylanie23]

01:52 AM on 04/07/2009

Michelle is a Humble and Loving person!! She's also a Mother of Two...So her Affection comes Naturally!! Also the Queen hugged her back...So stop starting stuff...Just to make Controversy!!! Dang the First Lady can't do anything...without you guys always on her back..."LET HER BREATHE"

[plainlystated]

01:49 PM on 04/06/2009

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do." As the first lady and someone who represents our country, it is Michelle Obama's responsibility to follow protocol of the individual countries that she visits. Although very endearing, it was totally inappropriate for First Lady Michelle Obama to touch Queen Elizabeth II. Often compared to First Lady Jackie Kennedy because of her clothing style, it would behoove First Lady Michelle Obama to be as graceful and courteous to other countries with whom we, as Americans, would like to have a better repoir.

[mark12345]

08:01 PM on 04/08/2009

SHUT UP!

Here in the Cowboy Empire of The United States of America if you place a hand on "ones" ass It is perfectly fine to reciprocally slap "ones ass".

"graceful and courteous to other countries with whom we, as Americans, would like to have a better repoir".

YUK YUK YAP YAP When America speaks Britain echo's.

[zazu313]

11:49 PM on 04/08/2009

A repoir? Oh, wait. Is that, like eating a poire and then eating another one?

[headexplody]

09:38 AM on 04/06/2009

This story has exceeded all reasonable time limits.

Nobody cares about this. Maybe for five minutes they did.

[MarilynWilliams]

11:40 PM on 04/05/2009

GIVE MA A BREAK!

When you are dealing with American's, do as American's do. She is the Queen of England, not the Queen of America. She should have been in awe and grateful to meet our new President and First Lady. In my view, they are the Royal's that I am concerned about. That 1700's and 1800's stuff is just that, stuff. Everyone has to be touched eventually, think about it. As I saw it she touched America's First Lady first, we may not like that. If you do not want to be touched, then do not touch.

The whole Royal mess sickens me. Open some of their closets and look at the mess you will find dating back centuries. When you do I believe you will find lots of dirty laundry and horrid cover-ups. There were probably lots of times Royals were touched that they should not have been. You can not take any human being and make them a Saint, as we were all made by the same God and born into Sin.

Mrs. Obama is a very respectable individual. Being touched by her is an honor. Just too much Ado about nothing.

And for all AMERICAN's that think this was a protocol error on Ms. Obama part, get real. We can spend our time better by helping the President and Mrs. Obama making America better rather than criticizing something so SILLY.

Remember, when you look for fault, you will find it!

[PhDiva]

10:39 PM on 04/05/2009

The queen seemed to like Michelle Obama more than anybody I've ever seen her interact with . I think that this just shows that our first lady has managed to charm the queen of England. Good for her and for us!

[newtonsapple]

09:35 PM on 04/05/2009

The palace put out a statement that there's no breach of protocol here. This is all bullshit--everyone go about your business--nothing to see here!

[liminal67]

08:38 PM on 04/05/2009

Who wants to Qe the bueen...I mean be the Queen...Anyhow...The only Queen I'm interested in has a man with a giant moustache in a pink Leotard sing amazingly in front of it! R.I.P. Freddie!

http://pitchbendpost.blogspot.com/

[formerprosecutor]

05:21 PM on 04/05/2009

Another tempest in a "Michelle" Teapot; I guess if she dropped her fork , that would rate 3000 comments.
And, it is not even a slow news day; North Korea is scaring people (me included); we are not going to get any help in Afghanistan, and there is a home foreclousure ever 16 seconds in this country.

[zanegrey]

02:07 PM on 04/05/2009

The Queen touched her first so she reciprocated the kind gesture. No big deal!

[pupbayer]

09:50 AM on 04/05/2009

I think the bigger question is why Obama did a little head nod to the Queen (which I have no problem with) and yet a full, all the way down, from the waist bow to the Saudi Arabian leader. He may have kissed his hand...it is hard to tell from the video.

I understood why Bush s.ucked up to the Saudis. They save his b utt more than once by buying his business, paying him money he didn't earn in the private sector, etc. Why is Obama s ucking up to them? They're no friends of ours.

[justobserve]

09:03 AM on 04/05/2009

The rule of not touching the Queen should apply only to her subjects. Americans are not hers and if other First Ladies,..., hug each others, why not the Queen?

[americanalien]

03:17 AM on 04/05/2009

The days of the British Empire have long fallen. The British Monarch i.e. the Queen, has no real power today. America is the world's most powerful country. Our First Lady should be able to do whatever she wants. She doesn't have to bow to anyone.

[Pennsanic]

07:11 AM on 04/05/2009

I've got some bad news for you americanalien. Our star is fading too. We're broke.

[ObamaIsBritneySpears]

09:04 AM on 04/06/2009

Worse than broke! Obama's trying to put EVERY FAMILY OF THREE $146,000.00 IN DEBT!