Celebrity

Michelle Obama opens up about the time she accidentally broke royal protocol

Apr 16, 2019

Michelle Obama promoting her new memoir, Becoming, at London's O2 on Sunday. Source: Getty

Michelle Obama recalled the moment she broke royal protocol and embraced Queen Elizabeth II, while promoting her new memoir, Becoming, at London’s O2 on Sunday.

The former first lady sparked controversy when she placed her arm around the Queen during a reception at Buckingham Palace in 2009. Ten years later, Michelle addressed the moment during a recent book tour stop and said she had no regrets about breaking royal protocol.

Barack and Michelle Obama pictured alongside Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip during a reception at Buckingham Palace in 2009. Source: Getty

“I don’t know that I could have done anything differently, because it was a natural human reaction,” she said on Sunday, according to Hello.

“I learned over the course of my time on the international stage to either hold my hands together tightly or behind my back to sort of, kind of make sure I was thinking before I reacted naturally,” she added. “But in that moment, no, that was absolutely the right thing to do, because that was the human thing to do.”

Meanwhile, for the occasion, Michelle stood out in a black jumpsuit adorned with gold tassles, which featured a stunning off-the-shoulder neckline and flared pants.

Michelle Obama promoting her new memoir, Becoming, at London's O2 on Sunday. Source: Getty — Michelle Obama promoting her new memoir, Becoming, at London’s O2 on Sunday. Source: Getty

It comes after the mother-of-two took a step back to the 1970s last week as she donned a series of bold and sparkling suits for the promotion of her book in Copenhagen, Stockholm and finally Norway.

The 55-year-old was full of confidence as she took to the stage in Norway’s capital of Oslo on Thursday to speak about Becoming: An Intimate Conversation With Michelle Obama, which was released last year.

Michelle dazzled in black tailored pants and a jacket, complete with crystal embellishments and a green satin sash, with the whole outfit reportedly worth $6,000. Barack Obama’s wife smiled broadly as she fronted crowds, standing tall in black heels, with her brunette locks falling gracefully to her shoulders.