Barack Obama bows to Saudi King King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud
Conservative American commentators have accused Barack Obama of "grovelling" to an Arab monarch at the G20 summit in London.
A photo and video footage of the US President bowing to Saudi Arabian King Abdullah at yesterday's G20 meet-and-greet has been doing the rounds on the internet today.
Mr Obama appears to shake the King's hand and then bow from the waist while French President Nicholas Sarkozy looks on.
Leading conservative blogger Michelle Malkin and Dakota Voice both wrote of their outrage at the President's deference to a foreign monarch.
"The whole thing is embarrassing. Its like the `American Hillbillies go to Europe'," Malkin wrote.
"He is throwing American power and prestige out with both hands as fast as he can."
Dakota Voice contributor Bob Ellis said the bow was a gesture of submission.
"The leader of the most free nation in the world should not be slobbering on the ring of some king," Ellis wrote.
But American etiquette expert Gloria Starr, who has met the King's wife and hosted two of their daughters in her finishing schools, told smh.com.au there was nothing wrong with Mr Obama's display of deference.
"I think it was a sign of respect and in no way diminishes the ranking of the President or indicates the greater strength of the one being bowed to," Ms Starr said.
"I bowed, wore the attire, ate the figs as a sign of respect when I was in Saudi.
"I applaud the President for showing this courtesy."
Former president George Bush was criticised for holding the hand of then-crown prince Abdullah during the monarch's visit to America four years ago.
But Obama's gaffe did not rate a mention in the mainstream US media, despite Michelle Obama's tactile approach to the Queen at the same function.
The Times noted: "Protocol dictates that no one should touch the Queen - as the Australian Paul Keating learnt to his cost - but she seemed comfortable with Michelle Obama's embrace at Buckingham Palace."
Keating was blasted by the British media and branded the "Lizard of Oz" when pictures emerged of him putting a friendly arm around the Queen to guide her through a function at Parliament House in Canberra in 1992.
Source: Sydney Morning Herald
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