13 Rules Queen Elizabeth II Has Broken During Her Reign
Her Majesty The Queen has let it be known there are times when she regards royal rules of protocol as “rubbish.” Here are some notable times when she did things her way.
She gave her autograph
It’s a steadfast rule that the royal family does not give out autographs… or… is it? Apparently, the rule has an important purpose: to discourage would-be forgers. Exceptions to this rule exist, including when it comes time to sign an official guest-book or event-book. However, the Queen broke the rule back in 1998 when she was visiting Malaysia and broke down and signed a soccer ball for a kid during a walkabout.
She allowed herself to be touched
When Her Majesty The Queen visited Canada House in London to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday, Governor General David Johnston touched her arm as he was walking by. The reason? He wanted to make sure the Queen kept her footing on the carpet, which was a bit “slippy,” as he described it. And it was allowed. Whew. Find out the 8 British laws the Queen doesn’t have to follow.
The hug heard ’round the world
Queen Elizabeth II actually went so far as to return a light hug First Lady Michelle Obama in 2009. Obama wrote in her autobiography, Becoming, that she wasn’t aware of the protocol. The reason for the hug according to Obama? We were just “two tired ladies oppressed by our shoes.” Read on to learn 13 “facts” about Queen Elizabeth that aren’t actually true.