Queen Elizabeth II reaches out and touches someone

With all the fuss surrounding Mrs Obama giving the Queen a hug, you'd think she'd greeted her Majesty with a fist bump and high-fived her for the hospitality. The Queen is said to not be very touchy-feely; even with her own family. It's a rare occurrence to see her make physical contact and when it does happen it all becomes frightfully significant to those with too much time on their hands.

But was it not Her Majesty who initiated the contact? Did she not put her arm around Michelle Obama's waist first? Thereby throwing royal and presidential protocol to the wind? The instant replays seem to reveal the Queen as the guilty party.

Were the two women just having a moment, or was this a serious breach of protocol?

Just ask those with too much time on their hands.

© Marilyn Braun 2009

When Sunday Best Isn't Available

When Michelle Obama arrives in London with her husband, President Obama, she will bring with her that unquestionable sheen of the extremely accomplished that can only make any woman standing next to her look inferior. In the presence of the most interesting First Lady in almost 50 years, the Queen herself may feel a momentary lapse in self-confidence. Having your image and face on stamps and currency cannot compete with the First Toned Arms.

While in the United Kingdom she will also meet with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. The woman who famously succeeded Britain's version of Michelle Obama, Diana, Princess of Wales. Diana, the one with the Royal Toned Limbs, the charisma, height and honorary degrees in dentistry that would have been more than a match for Mrs Obama. Alas we can only imagine Diana and Michelle sizing each other up so we're left with Camilla.

How embarassing to have to serve left-overs instead of Cordon Bleu.

© Marilyn Braun 2009