Your first thought in reading the title of this little piece is that once again I’m going to “hammer” Donald J Trump. If you’ve read any of my past blogs that would be the logical assumption.
But in this case, that would be wrong!
I see that many on social media and columnists in some newspapers are taking our president to task for “walking in front of the Queen.” the lady whose title in England is” Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas Queen, Defender of the Faith.
When Trump met the Queen the video shows that he was somewhat ackward and looked somewhat uncomfortable (but who wouldn’t in a first time meeting the Royalty of Royalty)? But it appeard to me from what I could see in watching the video that he was trying hard to do the right thing. I know, I know, that thought is indeed foreign to almost anything connected with this man but that’s what I think.
At the moment that has “lighted up” the gadflys, they have been walking mainly side by side but have reached the point where they must pivot to walk in front of the royal guard to troop the line and inspect the guard.
The Queen is seen to gesture to Trump and indicate he should pivot to the right. He clearly hesitates not sure of how he should do that but it looks to me like his hesitation springs from a desire to do it right rather than from some country bumpkin feeling of disrespect.
The Queen persists in gesturing him to move on. He does but in so doing necessarily moves ahead of her and since she has not sprung forward (she’s 92, you know and not given to the spritly girlish sprint) for two or three steps he is walking directly in front of her (since she is only 5 feet 4 inches she almost disappears).
Now, we might imagine that the Trump we know and do not “cherish” would, having found hmself in the “cat bird” seat, move forward smartly to inspect the troops by himself. But no, realizing he is alone, he stops. And the Queen comes round from behind to his right and then the two march forward.
In sum, I yield to no one in my criticims of Donald J Trump, a truly ignorant and dangerous man who “by the grace” of a minority of the voters landed in the Oval Office. Others may disagree withe me, of course, but I am prepared to defend my criticisms with facts and logic.
But in this instance I have explained why the facts (as I know them) and the logic is on the side of defending him from the awful crime of “walking in from of the Queen.”
In the spirit of full disclosure, I tell you of an incident involving the Queen from which much criticism was heaped on me by the British press and some portion of the British public.
One time when President Reagan and his wife Nancy visited the Queen, I was a member of the press pool that was taken to a room in the palace where the three of them were to meet.
The Queen and the Reagans faced the cameras and began a “photo op” chit-chat.
I spoke up with one of my “rude, mad dog, gotcha questions.”
“Your magesty,” I said ( addressing the Queen although I thought Nancy twiched a bit), “is it good to see your friends the Reagans again?”
The Queen smiled faintly, for a moment stared into space, then led the Reagans from the room with nary a word.
The British press present jumped on me, I received a number of invitations to appear on local television shows to receive additional plummingly as “the ugly, disrespetful American.”
You see, I had forgetton that one does not speak first to Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas Queen, Defender of the Faith.
One speaks to her only after she has first spoken to you.
Under the rule, then, it was no wonder that the Queen did not reply to my viscous question with something like “You ‘betcha britches,” they are wonderful kids, such fun people and I’m looking forward to “dishing the dirt” with them over a few glasses of good port” or reply at all.
I’ve confessed my error and you may think I am supporting Donald J Trump in the present instance because I want to get back at the Queen for throwing me “under the (British) bus.” I assure you that is not the case.
I thoroughly enjoyed joisting with the British press, replaying Yorktown, the Burning of the White House, and other moments in our two countries history. Moreover, I like and admire the Queen and believe she has throughout her long reign conducted herself with dignity, propriety and humanity.
Okay, there was the time when she seemed to want to ignore the death of Princess Di until Prime Minister Tony Blair convinced her if she didn’st snap to she was in danger of losing her throne. But, hey, we, Donald Trump and I, have demosntrated anyone can make a mistake and understanding and forgiveness is a big part of the Chritian faith.
I’m not sure how the Muslims and the Mexicans feel about it.
Sam,
While I may not agree with you on this one, as I feel the Queen was insulted, but likely expected the same from the boorish Trump; I do need to laugh into my sleeve at the titles we mortals are expected to remember when addressing royalty of whatever stripe.
I recall a year spent in the Shah Reza Pahlavi’s Iran just before the walls came tumbling down and your description of the Queen mum’s many titles reminded me that the Shah’s official moniker was something akin to Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi Shahanshah Light of the Aryans Bozorg Arteshteran, whose loose translation is King Mohammed Reza Pahlavi King of Kings Light of the Aryans Commander in Chief.
All I can say is by the Sainted bollocks of St. Jude, I hope that Trump, prior to being forced from office does not figure out a way to string a series of honorifics in front of his name, although I would be satisfied with the addition of two letters “ex” in front of POTUS.
Best,
Gordon