I guess to really know for sure the protocol for the First Lady we’d have to look back at what has happened when other first ladies have met her. I don’t recall Nancy Reagan ever curtsying, even to the Queen...
Most of the video footage I’ve seen involves the Queen meeting with England’s various diplomats and such, but that’s a completely different situation. Even Chruchill bowed to the King, didn’t he — after all they are her subjects despite their role in HER government... Even Tony Blair and his wife had to back out of the room when dismissed from a meeting unless the Queen left first...
The saddest thing I think this shows is that WE, the COMMON people are more concerned about protocol and decorum, and maintaining our dignity on the world stage than our OWN PRES_ENT! If WE know better than to make it even APPEAR as if we were bowing to another head of state, Obama has NO EXCUSE for this “faux pas” (if that’s really what it is... and I still have my doubts about that. His campaign (and his education) was financed by SOMEONE, and it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if at least a few of those “someones” were Saudis!).
As for those who say he may have dropped something — he should’ve let someone else come and pick it up... He is the Pres_ent. One of the princes, or any of their aides could’ve picked up whatever he had dropped — or he could’ve squatted to pick it up — like a girl does when wearing a skirt. Again, this may sound silly, but some of these stupid things are important again in the eyes of others...
The first time I looked at this picture, I didn't think he was bowing to the king, but I did think he was leaning in to kiss the king's ring.
I agree with you 100%.