I am curious what is protocol when an error starts to occur. When the band is listening for the words “To the Queen!” and they hear it, they are not exactly wrong, are they? So they start in to play.
At THAT point what is the correct protocol? I do not know queenly etiquette but of course National Anthem etiquette is the same in both our countries — YOU DO NOT SPEAK. So Obama in my belief should have, even as he was continuing with his toast, lowered his glass, mumbled “Sorry,” and stood at attention.
I do not think the band would have been able to STOP the national anthem, so that takes precedence to me.
Can anyone correct my impression? What should a head of state have done? Everyone else put down their glasses. Why did he insist on speaking through the national anthem?
Also, there was a famous example of the queen doing something at a royal dinner with one of our leaders, years ago, where in order to make the guest feel comfortable, she copied his faux pas. She was highly praised for this. I do not remember what it was but it was a dining error.
But how could the Queen, if she had wanted to, help out Obama in this incident last night? She can’t exactly disrupt her own country’s national hymn.
Well, she could have helped us.
Since he is a British subject, she could have had him thrown in the dungeons for insulting the crown.
Why would a person who pays no respect to our national anthem, pay any to that of another nation?
I really believe that Obama thought they were playing "My Country 'Tis of Thee Me" as a backdrop for his shining moment in the spotlight.