Queen 'thought the lesser' of Thatcher over salute says expert

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The Monarch invited President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle to the United Kingdom following his presidential win in 2008. The 2009 visit is widely remembered due to Mrs Obama’s protocol gaffe when she placed her arm around the Queen.

But one writer has highlighted the former First Lady’s role in the important meeting between the sovereign and the US leader.

American journalist Ashley Pearson described in a biographical documentary on Mrs Obama how she was able to “charm” the Queen.

In the documentary, called Michelle Obama: Forward Motion, Ms Pearson said: “There was a stage later on where Queen Elizabeth invited Michelle to sit in the back of her Range Rover with her.

“And when Michelle hesitated, the Queen said to Michelle, ‘Have they warned you that you can’t do this?’

“And when she said, ‘Yes’, the Queen said, ‘Rubbish – you can sit wherever you want.’

“So it seems like, despite everybody in the world freaking out that Michelle put her arm around the Queen, the Queen was charmed – very much so – by Michelle Obama.”

After meeting the Queen and Prince Philip, Mrs Obama said she was left pleasantly surprised by their warmth and kindness.

She told People magazine: “Early in my husband’s Presidency, Barack and I had the honour of meeting Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness Prince Philip.

“Back then, we were still getting used to the pomp and circumstance of the White House — and my mind could barely grasp the grandeur of Buckingham Palace.”

But it was thanks to the royals’ welcoming demeanour she was able to enjoy the evening with her mind at ease.

She explained: “But the Queen and Prince Philip were warmer and kinder than I ever would have imagined from the briefings we’d received or the lifetime of stories I grew up reading in the newspaper or viewing on the nightly news.

“They treated us with the kind of good humour and generosity that is rare in any person, let alone royalty — and put us at ease, even in the most intimidating circumstances.”

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The former President and First Lady referenced the royal couple’s authenticity in a statement issued in April to mark the death of Prince Philip.

Referring to their first reception at Buckingham Palace, the statement read: “As two Americans unaccustomed to palaces and pomp, we didn’t know what to expect.

“We shouldn’t have worried. The Queen and Prince Philip immediately put us at ease with their grace and generosity, turning a ceremonial occasion into something far more natural, even comfortable.”

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