The Queen of England and the President and the 1st Lady of the United States

Thank you for returning!

This was the scene at Buckingham Palace on the 1st ahead of the G20 Summit.

This touch at a reception later that day sparked a mild controversy.

CNN: The British media called it everything from a breach of protocol to an extraordinary show of affection from the queen.

The Times of London proclaimed it a “touching moment,” and the palace apparently agreed.

Buckingham Palace: “This was a mutual and spontaneous display of affection and appreciation between the queen and Michelle Obama”.