- Mrs Merkel had been on a one-day visit to London
- There was further awkwardness when she met David Cameron at No 10
As two of Europe's most powerful women, they must have a few things in common. Yet when the Queen met German leader Angela Merkel yesterday they seemed keen not to get too close
Standing well outside of the monarch's personal space, Mrs Merkel reached gingerly over to shake the her hand as she went for tea at Buckingham Palace.
And Her Majesty and Mrs Merkel subsequently remained at a safe distance as they posed, smiling warmly, for the cameras.
Tea at mine: The Queen meets German Chancellor Angela Merkel at Buckingham Palace earlier today
How d'you do? The German leader gingerly extends a hand to the monarch before the pair had tea
The smiles appear to fade: Both women kept their personal space during the meeting at the Palace
The awkwardness was heaped atop earlier awkwardness when Mrs Merkel met her British counterpart David Cameron first thing this morning at Downing Street as she began her one-day visit.
After the Prime Minister and the German Chancellor – the most powerful leader in Europe – posed grinning for the cameras outside the front door of No 10, David Cameron planted a firm kiss on Angela Merkel’s cheek.
How d'you do? The German leader gingerly extends a hand to the monarch before the pair had tea
The smiles appear to fade: Both women kept their personal space during the meeting at the Palace
The awkwardness was heaped atop earlier awkwardness when Mrs Merkel met her British counterpart David Cameron first thing this morning at Downing Street as she began her one-day visit.
After the Prime Minister and the German Chancellor – the most powerful leader in Europe – posed grinning for the cameras outside the front door of No 10, David Cameron planted a firm kiss on Angela Merkel’s cheek.
It was the beginning of a series of awkward poses, with Mr Cameron’s attempt at a handshake to seal the bond of friendship seeming not to go down too well.
Cheese: The two leaders smile awkwardly outside 10 Downing Street before Mr Cameron swoops in, right
A grimace from the Chancellor: Not quite the reaction Mr Cameron might have hoped for
As the Prime Minister placed one hand in hers and the other firmly on her arm, Mrs Merkel’s reaction was to pull a face, mouth turned down – possibly feeling that Mr Cameron was getting a bit too close, although it may have been a German attempt at a smile in response to a British attempt at humour.
Perhaps in a nod to her Tory host, Mrs Merkel had opted for a bright blue jacket, which she wore with smart black trousers and flat shoes.
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