Now listen kids, there are “good touches” and “bad touches”
The G20 summit is under way in London this week and already The Obama’s have been accused of groping her majesty. Michelle Obama gently placed her hand on the Queen’s back during their initial greeting and whaaaaaaatever you do….dooooooo not lay your grubby paws on the Queen unless she does so before you!!
Silly Americans can never get this right. Let me get this straight, so the Queen bends over, no wait, if the Queen slaps you a high-five you have to, no..if the Queen does the churn the butter dance then you can join in, no that’s not it. Oh brother, all this monarchy etiquette is just soooo hard to remember.
Once again, it’s stupid, yeah she’s the Queen of England and there are centuries of tradition, history, and regal etiquette but enough already. Americans and anyone not ruled by the British monarchy will simply not understand and will, from time to time, accidentally slip up. Even our own Prez’ and first lady are subject to it. All heads of state are briefed on how to approach the Queen but they’re only human. Americans are handsy, we like to pat, rub, grope, squeeze, nudge, and it becomes an instinctual motion when we greet others. The Queen is a pretty hip lady and she’ll get over it, trust me.
Thanks to TIME writer Simon Robinson, here is a quick history lesson about the whole not putting your hands on the Queen thing.
“The sovereigns of England and France at some point in their nations’ long histories claimed a divine right to rule, a right often amplified by titles bestowed by the Pope in Rome. (The Queen, in fact, still has the title Defender of the Faith, an honor given to Henry VIII before he broke with the Catholic Church and established the Church of England.) That touch of holiness once gave the occupant of the throne the supposed ability to cure certain diseases – most famously, scrofula, a terrible skin ailment that was called “the king’s evil.” Thus, the miraculous contact had to be conserved. And so, whether a touch or a nod or a gaze, royal favor, like that of God, is not a subject’s on demand; it is dispensed by kingly prerogative.”
Obama apparently gave her an IPod as a gift when he arrived. Hmmm…what would have been on Henry the VIII’s play list. “Cuts Like a Knife”?…”Head over Heels”?…
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