“...former First Lady Michelle Obama put her arm round the Queen in 2009, in a friendly gesture that broke with protocol”
Because she fancies herself a queen, on the same level as Elizabeth. I’m sure it never occurred to her for a moment to demur, or to not do what she wanted to do.
Ok, no fan of Michelle, but we are Americans. Monarchies are not superior to any American.
We whined when Obama observed “protocol” and “tradition” when bowing to other world leaders. We are American, we do not bow to anyone.
So, while hugging the Queen may have broken protocol, I don’t really give a flip.