Why would the orchestra even play while POTUS is talking?

[BernieSandersIsGod]

They wouldn't dare do it when the queen was talking. I knew something was odd about that toast.


Embarrassing

[Enrique]

1. they hate him because he's Irish

:-)

[CTyankee]

2. It was a boo boo. The first time I saw that clip I thought it was a bit odd

and theatrical to have "God Save the Queen" played behind Obama's toast. But actually, I confess that I did like it, particularly with the Shakespeare quote of the toast...

[TuxedoKat]

3. I think the mistake

was on their side as the orchestra started playing after the president started his toast.

[BernieSandersIsGod]

4. Of course it was on their side. He didn't even have the glass when they started playing. It was like

wrap it up music at awards shows.

[CTyankee]

5. I heard that the protocol was that the band played GSTQ first

BEFORE the toast is to be made. Perhaps Obama didn't get the memo on that and proceeded unknowingly but the band just felt it HAD to start...SOMEBODY screwed up somewhere...

[BernieSandersIsGod]

10. IF I remember, they introduced Obama to talk. NT

[markpkessinger]

6. A good rule of thumb might be...

...When in England, if you hear the strains of "God Save the Queen," STOP TALKING. The Brits know their protocol, and they would never consider playing "God Save the Queen" as "background music" during a toast Whoever briefed the President on diplomatic protocol didn't do his/her homework very thoroughly.

[CTyankee]

11. I don't think Obama wanted to talk during the playing of the anthem.

they started playing after he had begun with his toast and he was faced with an awkward situation. But you are right, awkward as it was, he should have put down his glass and stood silent until it was finished and then began speaking again.

[EC]

7. I know

they said the President made a mistake, I see it as the orchestra that made the error or did it on purpose.

[SoCalDem]

8. The UK has been doing their protocol for centuries

there's a routine way they do things.. The "fault" is that someone did not pull our president aside and clue him in on how & when to make his toast.

It;s just a little kerfuffle , and he'll roll with it good-naturedly..

[CTyankee]

12. I think I already saw a brief clip where he jokes a bit about it.

I am sure that he told the queen he was unhappy with the way it worked out...and that she understood. After all, Obama is certainly not one you would call a "boor."

[Nye Bevan]

9. Why 2 threads on this?

[Manifestor_of_Light]

13. the conductor should have been watching whoever was speaking.