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However, that even when a guest embarrassed himself, the queen never failed to respond with the utmost grace and diplomacy, and her fans would have expected nothing less from the magnificent regent. Here are some of the unexpected messes that the queen found herself in.
Royal Family News – An Awkward Dinner With The Kennedys
It’s been reported that Queen Elizabeth and President John F. Kennedy’s first meet-up went sideways. During their state dinner at Buckingham Palace in 1961, the queen reportedly struggled to warm to the president, who didn’t seem interested in discussing politics with a woman, even a woman of the queen’s stature.
Royal Family News – George H. W. Bush’s Memory
During a White House state visit in 1991, President George H. W. Bush forgot that he was taller than Queen Elizabeth and failed to adjust the lectern for her. As a result she was almost invisible with only her purple hat peeking out.
Reporters comically described the incident as “the talking hat” and Bush was very embarrassed by his mistake.
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He told the media: “It wasn’t fair to her and I’m just sorry that it was overlooked.” His wife, Barbara Bush, had his back and told reporters “It was someone else’s job — come on.”
The next day she made light of the situation when she addressed Congress, saying “I do hope you can see me today from where you are.”
Royal Family News – George W. Bush’s Memory
In a case of ‘like father, like son’ years later George W. Bush hosted the queen at the White House and experienced his own faux pas.
In 2007, the President forgot Queen Elizabeth’s age and in a speech he inferred that she was over 200 years old.
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He later said that when he caught the queen’s eye “She gave me a look that only a mother could give a child.”
Later the queen broke the awkwardness with a joke: “Mr. President, I wondered whether I should start this toast saying, ‘When I was here in 1776,’ but I don’t think I will.”
President Joe Biden’s Lapse Of Manners
President Joe Biden met with Queen Elizabeth in 2021. In a sad display of bad manners, he kept his sunglasses on when he greeted the queen, during an inspection of the Guard of Honor at Windsor Castle, and even when the U.S. national anthem played.
The British media jumped on Biden’s breach of royal protocol, as did social media. One person wrote “Why is Biden still wearing the sunglasses to meet the Queen? Incredibly disrespectful.” If she was insulted, she didn’t show it, instead laughing and joking with the incumbent POTUS.
Michelle Obama Forgot Protocol
When President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama visited the UK in 2009 they met with Queen Elizabeth. The FLOTUS did a huge non-no—she hugged the queen. What is it with Americans and hugging?
The gaffe made headlines and later Michelle revealed she did not know that protocol forbids the touching of the queen.
It was all good though, with Michelle recalling “I daresay that the Queen was okay with it, too, because when I touched her, she only pulled closer, resting a gloved hand lightly on the small of my back.”
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