The long-standing debate over royal protocol is back in the spotlight after Queen Camilla appeared alongside Sarah Jessica Parker at a literary event in New York City. What should have been a routine public appearance turned into a viral flashpoint after a clip showed the actress casually touching the Queen as they walked together.
The moment didn’t go unnoticed online. Instead, it reignited comparisons to the intense backlash former First Lady Michelle Obama faced years ago for a similar gesture toward Queen Elizabeth. The comparison has prompted fresh claims that the rules of “royal protocol” aren’t applied equally.
Queen Camilla Protocol Sparks Racism Allegation
During a stop in New York City, Queen Camilla attended a literary event at the New York Public Library hosted by her charity, The Queen’s Reading Room. Dressed in a navy-blue gown and dark heels, she was joined by actress Sarah Jessica Parker, who walked alongside her as they descended a staircase, smiling and chatting.
The moment quickly picked up traction online, as a clip from the outing showed Parker casually touching the Queen. The resurfaced images have consequently reignited criticism, with some social media users questioning whether similar gestures have been judged differently in the past.
Critics Revive Michelle Obama Protocol Controversy
Online reactions drew comparisons to Michelle Obama, who faced intense criticism for a similar interaction years ago. During a 2009 visit to the U.K. with Barack Obama, the former First Lady briefly hugged Queen Elizabeth II after the monarch initiated physical contact during their conversation.
Reports at the time noted the exchange appeared warm and natural, with the two women chatting and even complimenting each other’s shoes before the moment occurred. While the Queen eventually responded in kind, the gesture sparked widespread backlash, with critics claiming it broke royal protocol.
That reaction is now being revisited in light of Parker’s recent interaction with Camilla, with some arguing the difference in public response points to a potential double standard.
Michelle Obama Said They Bonded Over Sore Feet
Nine years later, Michelle weighed in on the incident, revealing that she and Elizabeth bonded over sore feet as a result of the pain from wearing heels.
In her memoir, “Becoming,” she noted how they were both in attendance at a reception for the G20 leaders in Buckingham Palace and had seemingly stood for a long time.
“Forget that she sometimes wore a diamond crown and that I’d flown to London on a presidential jet; we were two tired ladies oppressed by our shoes,” Michelle recalled, per the BBC. “I then did what’s instinctive to me anytime I feel connected to a new person, which is to express my feelings outwardly. I laid a hand affectionately across her shoulder.”
She then went on to detail that it wasn’t until later that she realized she had committed “what would be deemed as an epic faux pas,” because royal protocol demands that you don’t touch the Queen.
Critics Slam Queen Camilla’s NYC Appearance
Meanwhile, Camilla’s outing with Parker didn’t sit well with everyone, as some critics questioned why the actress was chosen for the high-profile appearance.
“An actress… not a doctor, scientist, engineer, researcher, volunteer, single parent struggling… no—an actress walking her down the stairs. Pathetic!” one X user wrote.
“Couldn’t they find someone better than Parker?” another person asked.
Others took a broader swipe at the optics, with one user writing, “So NYC is a fan of kings now? I thought they held marches against kings?”
King Charles And Queen Camilla Close Out Packed U.S. Visit
Charles and Camilla are wrapping up their four-day state visit after partaking in some diplomatic and charitable activities. The couple embarked on the trip ahead of the U.S. 250th anniversary of gaining independence from Britain, and despite both countries’ relationship being at a fragile state amid the Iran War, the proceedings have gone seamlessly.
Their visit began with an aircraft flyover at the White House, Charles giving a speech to Congress, and a lavish state dinner where he described the relationship between both countries as “a friendship unlike any other on Earth.”
They then flew to New York, where they took part in a wreath-laying ceremony in honor of the victims who lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Charles and Camilla dropped a bouquet at the memorial and met the families of victims and first responders.