Michelle Hugs the Queen, Sparks Brit-Fit

(Getty Images | Inset from the BBC)

Michelle Obama is at the center of a strange and unexpected controversy because she put her arm around Queen Elizabeth II Wednesday. That's because it is apparently not OK to hug the Queen.

According to British protocol, it is only OK to touch the Queen if she first touches you, and some people aren't sure who started the touching. The Daily Mail called the exchange "extraordinary," and recounted eyewitness accounts of how it went down:
According to eyewitnesses, the exchange occurred as the Queen was waiting in the Throne Room following the official group picture with the national leaders here for the G20 Summit.

One 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 Guardian, the Daily Mail and the Telegraph all ran with the story. Apparently it's the British equivalent of walking in on your parents doing the unspeakable. Weird, uncomfortable, and often traumatic. But the Brits should have known what they were in for. Michelle hugs everybody. Just look at some of these pictures.


Michelle hugs a high school student

U.S. first lady Michelle Obama (L) hugs student Truddie Dee Hawkins (R) during her visit to Anacostia High School March 19, 2009 in Washington, DC. The first lady had a roundtable discussion with students at the school to mark the Women’s History Month. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)more pics »

Hugging a Youthbuild volunteer

First Lady Michelle Obama (L) embraces a YouthBuild participant while posing for a photograph after touring an energy-efficient home construction project on the National Mall March 17, 2009 in Washington, DC. More than 100 YouthBuild students, graduates and members of Congress celebrated the organization's 30th anniversary by starting the construction of an energy-efficient, affordable home on the mall. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)more pics »
Hugging Jill Biden

(AFP OUT) First lady Michelle Obama hugs Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden at a dinner for Congressional Committee chairmen and ranking members in the East Room of the White House March 4, 2009 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Dennis Brack-Pool/Getty Images)more pics »

Hugging Joe Biden

Michelle Obama (R), the wife of Democratic U.S. Presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) embraces Democratic U.S. Vice-Presidential nominee Joe Biden (D-DE) as his wife Jill Biden (L) looks on at Irvine Park August 29, 2008 in Beaver, Pennsylvania. Obama is campaigning the day after the Democratic Convention and officially becoming the first African-American nominated as a candidate for U.S. president by a major party. (Getty Images)more pics »Hugging her husband

Democratic U.S. Presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) hugs his wife Michelle Obama after his speech on day four of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at Invesco Field at Mile High August 28, 2008 in Denver, Colorado. U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) is the first African-American to be officially nominated as a candidate for U.S. president by a major party. (Getty Images)more pics »

Hugging her daughter, Malia

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) stands with his wife Michelle (L) and daughters Malia Ann (2nd-L) and Natasha (R) during a rally at Lawrence North High School , May 3, 2008 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Voters in Indiana and North Carolina go to the polls May 6. (Getty Images)more pics »
Hugging her daughter, Sasha

Michelle Obama, wife of Senator Barack Obama (D-IL), shares a moment with her daughter Sasha as the Senator addresses a crowd gathered at a campaign rally at Iowa State University February 11, 2007 in Ames, Iowa. Obama is wrapping up a two-day campaign swing through Iowa after announcing February 10, that he would seek the Democratic nomination for President. (Getty Images)more pics »

And a 3-way hug with Fran Drescher and Sheryl Crow

U.S. first lady Michelle Obama (L) chats with actress Fran Dresche (R) as musician Sheryl Crow (C) looks on while she greets with women leaders in the Diplomatic Room of the White House, prior to her visit to Anacostia High School, March 19, 2009 in Washington, DC. The first lady met with women at the top of their fields before dispatching them to speak to students at local schools on dreams achieving and career goals to mark the Women's History Month. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)more pics »