Correspondent Sheila MacVicar reported on the First Lady’s relationship with the Queen: "It’s a friendship that began in April with this encounter between Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and Mrs. Obama. A meeting so congenial that at a later reception, as they apparently compared their shoes, the two embraced. That meeting ended with a request from Her Majesty that the First Lady keep in touch. And apparently she has, by letter and phone."
MacVicar went on to describe Michelle Obama’s latest visit with the Queen while in Europe last week: "They spent three hours in the palace and its gardens, including the Queen's new vegetable patch. That's one interest both share. And that is forging a new friendship, helping to keep the trans-Atlantic relationship very warm indeed. In fact, a source with excellent royal connections tells CBS News that the Queen has told members of her family that she adores Michelle Obama and that she hopes she gets to see her again soon."
Reacting to MacVicar’s report, Smith remarked: " You need the opportunity to kind of – sort of compare – ‘how are your rutabagas?’" Co-host Julie Chen added: "I thought she was going to say ‘I love Brussel sprouts,’ you know." Fill-in co-host Chris Wragge joked: "I hear they’re Facebook friends as well." Later, weatherman Dave Price commented: "...it's nice they stay in touch."
Here is the full transcript of the segment:
7:13AM TEASE:
JULIE CHEN: Also ahead, the First Lady and her new friend. We're going to meet the new royal odd couple.
7:30AM TEASE:
HARRY SMITH: Coming up, they met for the first time in April, but since then, they have become fast friends. We'll tell you about the blossoming relationship between the First Lady and the Queen of England.
7:36AM TEASE:
SMITH: Up next, a modern day odd couple. The First Lady and her very royal friend, when we come back.
7:39AM SEGMENT:
HARRY SMITH: They couldn't come from more diverse backgrounds. One grew up in Chicago. The other grew up with a silver spoon. CBS News correspondent Sheila MacVicar is live outside Buckingham Palace in London to tell us about this new royal odd couple, the First Lady and the Queen. Good morning, Sheila.
SHEILA MACVICAR: Good morning, Harry. Well, we know that Michelle Obama was taking in the sights of London last week with Sasha and Malia and they got to do something very few tourists would even dream of, a private tour of Buckingham Palace and tea with the Queen. It’s a friendship that began in April with this encounter between Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and Mrs. Obama. A meeting so congenial that at a later reception, as they apparently compared their shoes, the two embraced. That meeting ended with a request from Her Majesty that the First Lady keep in touch. And apparently she has, by letter and phone. Last week, the Obamas toured the tourist top ten with a little special access. Taking in not just the front door of the Prime Minister's residence, but the private backyard too. They spent three hours in the palace and its gardens, including the Queen's new vegetable patch. That's one interest both share. And that is forging a new friendship, helping to keep the trans-Atlantic relationship very warm indeed. In fact, a source with excellent royal connections tells CBS News that the Queen has told members of her family that she adores Michelle Obama and that she hopes she gets to see her again soon. Harry.
SMITH: There you go. Sheila, thank you very much. You need the opportunity to kind of – sort of compare – ‘how are your rutabagas?’
JULIE CHEN: I thought she was going to say ‘I love Brussel sprouts,’ you know.
CHRIS WRAGGE: I hear they’re Facebook friends as well.
DAVE PRICE: No, no, no, but how many times have you heard – how many times does Harry say at the end of the show, ‘hey, give me a call later.’ And you know you really don't want me to call you. You're just being nice to me. How many times in that – in those occasions-
WRAGGE: We talk all the time (pointing to Smith).
PRICE: What?
SMITH: We talk a lot.
WRAGGE: We talk all the time.
JULIE CHEN: So are you saying that the Queen didn't mean it or she did and then-
PRICE: Hold on, there are bigger issues right now, rather than the Queen. You guys actually talk all the time?
WRAGGE: Yeah, we're playing golf on Saturday, right? Is that still on?
PRICE: This is incredible.
SMITH: Here’s the thing, if they're the odd couple. Which is Felix and which is Oscar?
PRICE: I'm not touching that one.
CHEN: Terrible.
PRICE: But it's nice they stay in touch.
