Queen Elizabethhas no shortage offancy brooches, so her choice of shiny accessory whilePresident Donald Trumpwas visiting her country has raised some eyebrows for its potential hidden meaning.
While receiving the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar for an audience at Windsor Castle on Thursday, the day Trump arrived in England, the Queen donned the American State Visit Brooch. The vintage ornament, a small green flower, was a gift from former President Barack Obama and formerFirst Lady Michelle Obamaduring their state visit in 2011.
The Obamasreportedly hand-picked the personal gift— which featured 14-karat yellow gold, diamonds and moss agate — at Washington D.C.’s Tiny Jewel Box store.
Queen Elizabethwore the brooch during the Obamas’ visit for a reciprocal dinner at Winfield House in London following the state visit.
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Despite reports thatPrince CharlesandPrince William“refused to attend”Friday’s royal meetingwith President Trump and First LadyMelania Trump, a palace spokesperson tells PEOPLE that the heirs to the throne werenever supposed to take part.
Adds Dickie Arbiter, former spokesman for the Queen and author ofOn Duty with the Queen, “It was always going to be a short visit and as soon as you have too many people it gets longer. It was a courtesy call – that’s all it was.”
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The Trumps were welcomed at the Quadrangle of the castle, where a Guard of Honor gave a royal salute and the U.S. national anthem was played. The Queen and President Trump inspected the Guard of Honor before watching the military march past. The president and first lady then joined the Queen inside the castle for afternoon tea.
But the meeting didn’t exactly go off without a hitch. Tens of thousands ofprotesters marched through the streets of London— about 20 miles from Windsor Castle — it what was dubbed “The Stop Trump March.”
Carrying signs that read “Trump Not Welcome” and “Dump Trump,” the crowd made it clear that not everyone in the U.K. supported the country’s diplomacy.
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William,Kate MiddletonandPrince Harryhosted President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for a private dinner in 2016, with Harry warmly greeting the first lady with a double kiss.
Memorably,Prince Georgestayed up late to greet the commander-in-chiefclad in a bathrobe, matching gingham blue pajamas and slippers before taking a ride a rocking horse – a gift from the Obamas when he was born.
“The three of them have built up a relationship with the President and First Lady over the years,” added the source.
In 2014, William visited the Oval Office, where he and President Obama discussed the campaign to clamp down on illegal wildlife trafficking.
Harry also hosted Michelle and daughters Malia and Sasha – along with grandma Marian Robinson – fortea at Kensington Palaceback in June 2015. In October 2015, the Obamas played host to a visitingPrince Harry– where the chemistry between Michelle and the royal wason adorable display.
source: people.com
