After reading the last few posts I was curious as to how Obama first met Queen Elizabeth... here it is (below). There's an ever so slight bow (or lowering of the head):





Personally, I don't see a big deal about this type of formality. Years ago, there was a BIG meeting of heads of state (and I believe JFK was representing the U.S.) and the question of protocol came up. I vaguely remember that it was mentioned that an American president was not supposed to bow down before any other world leader, despite his or her "title". It was also mentioned, at this particular get-together that Haile Selassie was deemed as being on top of the totem pole by virtue of his title of "emperor".