Elisabeth Hasselbeck Recalls Awkward Moment with Queen Elizabeth When She Went in for a Hug: ‘It Didn’t Go Well’

In an amusing recount of a royal encounter gone awry, former co-host of ‘The View,’ Elisabeth Hasselbeck, shared her experience with Queen Elizabeth during a state dinner at the White House. This embarrassing, yet entertaining anecdote was revealed during the March 7 episode of ‘The Weekend View,’ where Hasselbeck reflected on her nerves leading up to the event.

Hasselbeck, who is now 48, recalled her invitation from then-President George W. Bush to join a prestigious dinner that featured the British monarch. In an admission that many can relate to, Hasselbeck described the anxiety she felt as she prepared for the occasion. “I wore my wedding cape,” she noted, highlighting her desire to make a good impression.

When she arrived at the dinner, Hasselbeck was unsure of how to behave among the elite company, particularly when it came to interacting with Queen Elizabeth. “I had no idea what to do when I got there. Like, I didn’t know you couldn’t touch her,” she admitted, illustrating a common misunderstanding regarding royal etiquette. Her attempt to embrace the Queen, a gesture that may seem innocent, was met with a clear lack of enthusiasm, leading to what she described as a “very awkward” situation.

As the evening progressed into the dinner itself, Hasselbeck faced yet another challenge. The array of utensils before her proved overwhelming. “There were so many things before me, so many forks. I grew up simply, you know?” she explained, struggling to navigate the fine dining experience. The situation escalated when she misidentified a finger bowl as a drinking vessel.

Hasselbeck was mid-sip when her husband, Tim Hasselbeck, alongside notable guests such as Jeb Bush and Condoleezza Rice, intervened with a timely warning. “You might not want to drink that. That’s for your hands,” he cautioned. The revelation elicited laughter, further lightening the mood of the story for the show’s audience.

The amusing exchange sparked camaraderie among the show’s co-hosts, with Sunny Hostin chiming in with her own embarrassing dining experience. She shared a tale from her prom, which took place at the iconic Tavern on the Green in Central Park, a venue far removed from her humble beginnings.

Hostin echoed Hasselbeck’s experience, revealing a similar confusion over a finger bowl. She recounted her date, Louie, who also hails from a less affluent background, mistaking the bowl’s purpose. “It looked a little soapy, but it had a slice of lemon. And I said, ‘So, Louie, what is this?’ He was like, ‘It’s to cleanse your palate.’ And then he chugs it! And I chugged it, too!” she recounted, to the amusement of her co-hosts and the audience alike.

The stories shared by Hasselbeck and Hostin provide a relatable glimpse into the pressure of formal dining etiquette, especially in such high-stakes environments. They serve as a reminder that even those who are familiar with the spotlight can find themselves in awkward situations. Social norms, particularly regarding royalty, can be fraught with complexities that are easily misstepped by even the most cautious.

Through their humorous exchanges, both women managed to turn potentially mortifying moments into relatable anecdotes, sparking laughter and connection with their audience. The importance of etiquette at high-profile events cannot be overstressed, yet it is essential to remember that everyone makes mistakes, regardless of their background or experience.

As Elisabeth Hasselbeck reminisces about her encounter with the Queen, it stands as a testament not only to the nuances of royal protocol but also to the universal challenge of navigating social occasions with grace.