Posted on 05/25/2011 6:07:49 AM PDT by markomalley
President Obama’s lack of experience with royalty was on full display today in England as he mistakenly began a toast to the Queen of England at the wrong time, resulting in “God Save the Queen” blaring over his words and no one getting to drink what was in their cups. Awkward.
“And now I propose a toast to the Queen,” President Obama began in London today, but only got as far as “To the vitality of the special relationship” before “God Save the Queen” cut him off. He kept reading the toast, however, and finally raised his glass to her. No one drank out of their glasses afterwards, however. The Queen herself looked over at him with a hint of contempt (confusion?) in her face, while the other members of the royal family stood stoically around them.
Many may see not knowing the tedious etiquette of proposing a toast to an ornamental political figure a “gaffe,” but isn’t the entire point of America not bothering to care about royal etiquette? Allahpundit at Hot Air has some (rare) praise for the President:
Protocol, apparently, requires the toastmaster to wait until after “God Save the Queen” plays and then begin the toast. But the almighty O waits for no sovereign, so he launched straight into his shpiel. To which I say, good for him. What else was the American revolution about, if not the right of the president to half-ass some formulaic niceties about the British monarch? He should have punctuated it with a weary “whatever” and downed the glass in one gulp.
Video via ABC News below: (video at link)
Imagine if a Conservative "Entertainer" were to repeat "The Ditzy Chicks" infamous "brave and edgy" statement concerning President Bush, only in reference to our current pResident.
I believe most of us on FR would condemn the act, even though we would agree with the sentiment.
I have never heard the term lady used to describe a mistress, not even if she is now a former one.
Ladies do not sleep with someone else’s husband.
I guess that could qualify as “bad news,” depending upon your perspective...
Look, assuming the Brit commentators are all wrong about the traditional cue for the music being “To Her Majesty...” (which obama used to start, not end, his toast)
Do you tnink a Brit would have been so clueless as to try and bluff their way through and keep talking during the national anthem, when everyone else on the room was at attention?
Naw, didn’t think so
It's sweet that you think that.
He turns to her with his glass half raised and the Queen says, “Just put it down.”
About then it dawned on him that he was a dumbass.
We all knew that going in, however.
He’s the President of the USA. Your citizens voted him in.
No shame on me.
I didn’t vote for him.
Nice of you to make excuses for him though.
Great - I was wondering what she said...pretty bad hit to his ego to have the Queen talk to him like a child...
“Just Put it Down” - should be used as a counter slogan this upcoming presidential election!!!
HAHAHHAH....outstanding...
For example, when our ambassador presents his credentials to the Court of St. James, it is my understanding that he does not bow, and accompanying ladies do not curtsey. I was always taught that we (very politely) do not stand for God Save the Queen.
It's an American thang.
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