10. Described as “flagrant disregard for convention” and an “outrage” among Royalist traditionalists, First Lady Michelle Obama initiated physical contact with Queen Elizabeth II (by hugging her)
Whilst not the most serious diplomatic embarrassment or mistake appearing on this list, on April 1, 2009, during a reception at Buckingham Palace for the leaders of the G20 nations American First Lady Michelle Obama broke with centuries of royal convention to give Queen Elizabeth II a hug. Precipitating a flurry of discussion and debate among the British press regarding royal traditions and whether this act signaled a relaxing of centuries of strict adherence to regulations, Mrs. Obama’s breach of etiquette was politely reciprocated by the Queen.
Stemming from a Middle Age belief in the divine right of monarchs – the presumption that a person in a position of power was selected by God and thus naturally superior to those beneath them – the Kings and Queens of Europe were widely believed to have healing powers. This belief was particularly applied to those persons specially blessed by the Pope, a characteristic assumed by the reigning Kings and Queens of England from the time of Henry VIII who was named “Defender of the Faith” by Pope Leo X in 1521, a title retained by the English monarchy to this day. Consequently, physical contact with the royal personage was highly restricted, with the touch of holiness bestowed only upon those regarded as worthy of a divine interaction. Despite the absurdity of the convention, even as the belief in religious healing disappeared, the proscription on touching has remained.