What The Queen told Michelle Obama about royal protocol

Michelle Obama has shed some pretty interesting light on her first meeting with Queen Elizabeth.

Recalling the casual first interaction with Her Majesty during her book tour in the UK, the former First Lady admitted she was very nervous but quickly put at ease by the 92-year-old.

"So I had all this protocol buzzing in my head, and I was like 'don't trip down the stairs and don't touch anybody, whatever you do,'" the author said, according to CNN.

"And so the Queen says 'just get in, sit wherever' and she's telling you one thing and you're remembering protocol and she says 'Oh it's all rubbish, just get in.'"

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This probably explains why Michelle Obama was seen with her hand on The Queen's back during a visit to Buckingham Palace in 2009.

At the time much was made about the gesture breaking protocol but clearly Mrs O knew she wasn't doing anything of the sort at the time.

Michelle also revealed at the speaking engagement that her husband Barack Obama is a huge fan of The Queen but not just for her work ethic and achievements, it's more personal than that.

It's understood the former US President believed Her Majesty reminds him of his grandmother Toot.

"She's smart and funny and honest," Michelle said. "He is a huge fan for sure."

The author opened up about her brush with royalty during a chat in front of a sell-out crowd at the Royal Festival Hall in London, to promote her memoir 'Becoming'.

It's been reported that following the event, Michelle went and met the newest member of the British Royal Family, having a private audience with Meghan Markle.

"They spoke at length about the importance of supporting and empowering women across all cultures and communities," a source told The Evening Standard.

"They also talked about shared experiences of pregnancy and raising children, plus shared causes including girls’ education."

The Obamas have long been friends with Prince Harry but it's not known if this was Michelle and Meghan's first meeting.