You Won't Believe What Obama And Others Did During Nelson Mandela's Memorial Service
No matter how famous you are, it appears, few can resist the appeal of the selfie.
By Sadho Ram — 11 Dec 2013, 10:52 AM — Updated over 10 years ago
President Obama was caught committing a funeral faux pas, snapping a selfie during Nelson Mandela’s memorial service
During this morning's memorial service honoring late South African leader Nelson Mandela, President Barack Obama took a few minutes in between speaking to mingle with the many political world leaders in attendance.
At one point during the event, which took place at Johannesburg's FNB Stadium, President of the United States was even caught snapping a candid selfie pic with British Prime Minister David Cameron and Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt!
dailystar.co.uk
Funeral selfie: (from left to right) British PM David Cameron, Denmark's Prime Minister Helle Thorning Schmidt and President Obama smile for a snap during Nelson Mandela’s memorial service.
Image via dailystar-uk.co.ukFor the selfie snapshot, the three leaders leaned into each other as Obama reach out his arm to take the photo on an iPhone. All three flashed a smile.
eonline.com
The awkwardness of the 'selfie' moment is intensified by Michelle Obama appearing to look into the distance pensively as the world leaders lean in rather cosily for the picture
David Cameron, Helle Thorning-Schmidt and Barack Obama pose for a selfie. Michele Obama, meanwhile, remains focused on Nelson Mandela's memorial service. Photograph: Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images
Image via wordpress.comIgnoring the etiquette tips that have proliferated online since 'selfie' was declared Oxford Dictionaries' word of the year, the three world leaders appeared to momentarily forget the solemnity of the occasion, adopting the mandatory cheesy grins. Michelle Obama maintained her dignity and refused to join in the antics.
theguardian.com
The US president and the Danish leader were photographed laughing and chatting during the ceremony, while the US first lady looked on apparently unimpressed.
theverge.com
A series of follow-up photos, practically screaming for a caption contest, show Obama laughing with Thorning-Schmidt and touching her arm before turning inexplicably somber
Helle Thorning-Schmidt, left, jokes with Obama during the service Tuesday, as first lady Michelle Obama paid attention to the proceedings.
Image via nydailynews.com
The Danish leader looked all at ease with Obama during the remembrance ceremony for Nelson Mandela but Michelle Obama (right) did not seem to approve of the display.
Image via nydailynews.com
Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt mingled with the President, as First Lady Michelle Obama looked intently ahead.
Image via nydailynews.com
The Cameron-Obama-Thorning-Schmidt selfie soon went viral online, leading to a backlash from some who felt it was inappropriate behaviour for a funeral
Many users have made snarky remarks against the leaders, noting that “funerals are no place for selfies.”
rt.comBut many remarked that the world leaders were simply joining in the South African spirit of celebrating, rather than mourning, Mandela. "Lighten up people, it was a celebration of life," tweeted @s_phire.
theguardian.com
"From everything I've read about Mandela this week, sounds like he'd have found the Obama selfie / Michelle Twitter gags pretty funny," tweeted Sam Parker.
nydailynews.comThe image quickly made its way onto the Tumblr blog “Selfies at Funerals” (yes, that’s a thing).
And the U.K. newspaper The Independent wondered whether the trio would one day look back on the shot and think, “what on earth were we doing? We’re world leaders, not a bunch of giggling teenagers. We’re attending the memorial service of Nelson Mandela. Couldn’t we have waited a bit before goofing around?”
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