Snubs both real and imagined for the Obamas' state visit to United Kingdom

The Obamas' state visit to the United Kingdom ended Wednesday night with a dinner from the Obamas to the Queen and Prince Philip. While President and First Lady Obama will be in Europe for several more days, their state visit to the United Kingdom was just two days long. It did not appear to include any traditional carriage rides.

Mixed reports on Queen-Obamas state visit from snub-spotters

View slideshow: State banquet and presidential banquet for Queen and President Obama

Reports on the visit have been mixed. The media have focused as much on the hiccups -- such as President Obama signing 2008 instead of 2011 in the Westminster Abbey guest book -- as on the visit itself. Criticism, often unfair, has been heaped on the First Couple.

When President Obama was first elected, he paid a visit to the United Kingdom and his wife famously put her arm around Queen Elizabeth. In etiquette circles that's a big no-no; yet the Queen obviously didn't mind too much, as she invited them both back.

Genuine warmth between Queen Elizabeth and the Obamas

Indeed, a Cleveland newspaper reported that a Palace spokesman had emphasized that there was no offence: "Very warm words have been spoken between the royal family and the Obamas," he said. "There is a genuine, genuine - and I really mean this - a genuine warmth between the two families."

It seems that etiquette circles have nothing better to do than create offense where there is none. And the Camerons at 10 Downing Street had no trouble with public hugs and displays of affection.

The etiquette people should move on. So should all those still crying foul about the lack of a Royal Wedding invitation -- there is no requirement at all to invite heads of state to a non-state occasion and, really, a State Visit is a much greater honor.

State banquet brings together royals, politicians and entertainment greats

For the state banquet on Tuesday night, Michelle Obama wore a figure-hugging ivory gown and opera gloves that perfectly set off the Queen's white gown. President Obama looked slick in tie and tails. Reportedly, 170 guests attended, with sole, lamb and champagne on the menu.

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall were present; other Royals included the Earl and Countess of Wessex, and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. Kevin Spacey, Helena Bonham Carter, and three Prime Ministers came too: Gordon Brown, Tony Blair and John Major. Not to be outdone, President Obama had brought along Secretary of State Clinton.

Obama state visit gifts past and present -- thoughtful and personal

The press is still complaining about the Obamas' choice of gifts in 2009 -- they included an iPod with footage from the Queen's 2007 visit to the States. What all are forgetting is that the Queen doesn't want jewels or fancy goods: Her idea of a good gift is one that's personalized. That means that the iPod was exceptionally thoughtful.

The DVDs for the Prime Minister -- presented in NTSC format, not European PAL format -- may have been a mistake, but there are NTSC-capable players and conversion services in the United Kingdom. All such fuss notwithstanding, the gifts this time were beyond reproach.

President Obama gave the Queen a leather-bound book of memorabilia from her parents' 1939 visit to the States, while Prince Philip received some custom pony tackle and horseshoes from Jamaica, a carriage racing champion who was rescued from the slaughterhouse.

For Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, the Obamas brought plants, seedlings, and seeds from the gardens of Monticellos, Mount Vernon, Monticellos and the White House. They also brought White House honey. The Queen gave their guests treasures in the form of letters from the royal archive between Queen Victoria and presidents such as Abraham Lincoln and John Quincy Adams; First Lady Obama also received an antique rose brooch in gold and coral.

Orchestra drowns out President Obama during his speech

President Obama was also criticized for an error made during the speech. He paused; the orchestra struck up God Save the Queen, thinking he was done. He finished his toast instead of waiting. No reports have mentioned that the orchestra and planners were as much at fault as the president.

And, for all those fussing about offense -- well, setting out copies of Uncle Tom's Cabin from the Royal Collection was, at best, tactless. So, for that matter, was the placement of First Lady Obama next to a round landscaping tree for the State Banquet images – ensuring that she looked as though she were sporting a ridiculous, cartoon-sized hairdo. The shots could have been re-done; they were not.

Obamas make a positive impression in Oxford and Westminster

On the positive side, President Obama was the first President of the United States to speak to both houses of Parliament at Westminster Hall; he received a standing ovation. Michelle Obama had a hug for 40 or so schoolgirls who came to hear her speak at Oxford University. Inner-city students trounced the President and the Prime Minister at table-tennis.

The trip wasn't all bad for the president. Obama was the first U.S. president to speak in front of both Houses at Westminster Hall, and his speech received a standing ovation. The Obamas hosted a banquet at Winfield House, the official residence of the American Ambassador to the United Kingdom. Given the relative lack of coverage in the press, it would seem that this chapter went off without a hitch.

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