Queen Elizabeth II Creates Sensation After Hugging Michelle Obama

British and Americans alike have been thrown into a tizzy over a seemingly harmless hug.

Only thing is, the hug was between two of the most visible women in the world, one of whom is notorious for her rigid public stance.

Quen Elizabeth II and America's First Lady Michelle Obama shared a surprising embrace during a G20 function at Buckingham Palace. The Queen reportedly made the first move, placing her hand at the small of Michelle's back. In return, the First Lady place an arm around the Queen's shoulder.

The ten seconds of contact has sent the media on both sides of the pond into a tizzy. Why? Because Her Majesty is known for her strong adherence to formality, which reportedly doesn't include physical touch, except for hand shakes, of course.

Queen Elizabeth II has never publicly embraced anyone, and attempts to embrace the Queen have been met with heavy scorn and ridicule. In 1992, Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating caused outrage whn he placed his hand on the Queen's back during an official visit to Australia. The incident earned him the moniker "Lizard of Oz".

Reports first questioned whether Michelle broke the royal protocol, but after it was learned the Queen moved first, the reports quickly changed to highlight a newly-forged friendship between the two women.

The Times of London called the embrace a "touching moment", while the Daily Mail called it "electrifying".

The question is, was this a one-off moment of mutual affection, or is the Queen ushering a new era of personal interaction?