Actually, there is an Office of Protocol, and someone assigned to the President to prevent any faux pas — like the gift selection, how to greet heads of state, etc... EVERY President is a novice when it comes to most protocols, even if there were previously a lower level diplomat — different rules. Chances are they are completely dismissing the advice of their Protocol advisor who has probably been with the State Dept. through multiple administrations...
I think I read somewhere that Obama and Michelle have employed some women they knew who worked with the campaign who are handling the White House duties like protocol, etc. They got rid of the staff members who actully knew what they were doing in this regard (and others, such as gifts, etc.) and put five inexperienced women in their place. It appears they are no more knowledgeable than the Obamas - prolly from the Chicago gang area where manners don’t exist.