Barack Obama's gift of the gab may have offended Queen Elizabeth at state banquet, claims royal biographer
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: Throughout her historic reign, Queen Elizabeth II encountered a wide array of world leaders, including some whose behavior left much to be desired.
From dictators and former terrorists to fellow monarchs who tested her patience, the late Queen’s interactions with these figures were often complex.
However, a new revelation has emerged that adds a surprising name to the list of those who might have been less than courteous to Her Majesty: former US President Barack Obama, as per Daily Mail.
In his new book, 'A Voyage Around The Queen,' biographer Craig Brown uncovers an incident that suggests Obama may have inadvertently committed a faux pas during a state visit.
Barack Obama may have been less than polite during 2011 UK visit
The story in question dates back to 2011 when Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, were guests of honor at a state banquet hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
The evening was a grand affair, filled with the pomp and circumstance befitting a visit from the leader of one of the United Kingdom’s closest allies. However, as the night drew on, an awkward situation developed.
As the banquet came to a close, it became clear that the Queen was ready to retire for the evening. However, Obama, engrossed in conversation with other guests, did not immediately take the hint.
According to George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer at the time, the Queen discreetly asked him to help move things along.
"I just said: 'Yes, Ma’am,'" Osborne recalled, noting that he found himself in a tricky position. Interrupting a sitting US president, particularly during a casual chat, was no small task.
Ultimately, the Queen’s private secretary, Sir Christopher Geidt, stepped in and had a quiet word with Obama’s White House counterpart.
The message was diplomatically conveyed, and the evening concluded without further incident. Nevertheless, the episode raises questions about whether Obama’s behavior could be interpreted as a breach of etiquette.
Interestingly, there is no record of the Queen ever expressing displeasure with Obama over this incident. On the contrary, she maintained a warm relationship with the Obamas, particularly with Michelle, whom she is known to have held in high regard.
Still, the fact that the Queen needed to intervene to move the evening along suggests that, in this instance, Obama’s actions might have been seen as less than perfectly polite.
Barack Obama is not the only US president under scrutiny for royal interactions
Barack Obama is not the only US president whose behavior during a visit to the Queen has come under scrutiny.
The story about his state banquet has surfaced in the context of other anecdotes involving American presidents and their interactions with Her Majesty.
For instance, Donald Trump, who visited the Queen during his presidency, was reportedly considered "very rude" by the Queen herself, according to a claim made in the Daily Mail.
Trump’s visit in 2019 included a stay at Buckingham Palace and a banquet, during which he was said to have frequently looked over the Queen’s shoulder as though searching for someone else to engage with.
This behavior, if true, would certainly have been a breach of royal etiquette, where the focus should remain firmly on the Queen during such formal occasions.
Trump, however, has vehemently denied these claims, even going so far as to state that the Queen had “never had a better time, a more animated time” than when in his company.
He also suggested that he had heard he was the Queen’s "favorite president," a claim that biographer Robert Hardman disputes in his book.
According to Hardman, the Queen was known for her careful diplomacy and rarely, if ever, expressed a preference for any one individual, especially not a political leader.
