The attitude of Obama and Thorning-Schmidt causes controversy
Images at Mandela's funeral become the most talked about in the media and social networks
The image in which President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron and Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt appear, taking a photo during the memorial for Nelson Mandela has been among the most commented on Thursday in the media and networks social in the US.
The so-called "selfie", -the photo of oneself that is usually posted on social networks- that the three leaders took with Thorning-Schmidt's mobile phone has generated all kinds of comments about whether their behavior was appropriate, since they were at a funeral for former South African President Madiba.
The moment in which the three took the photograph was captured by a press photographer, who has said that he only thought that "they were behaving like human beings".
The image shows Thorning-Schmidt in the center, holding her cell phone, as Obama and Cameron lean into the photo frame and pose with smiles.
There is also speculation about whether the first lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, who appears in the photo slightly separated from the three and with a serious expression, was upset with her husband or even jealous.
The tabloid New York Post even featured a front-page photo of Obama and Thorning-Schmidt chatting with laughter, with Michelle next to her with a straight face. The headline states "Flirting with danger", making a pun on the English terms "danger" and "Danish".
Commentators and analysts have walked through television this Thursday to decide whether or not it is appropriate to take a "selfie" at a funeral, especially if you are a world leader of the stature of Obama.
"Did the president really take a 'selfie' at a funeral? It seems the first lady didn't approve." An example of the thousands of tweets that emerged this Thursday in this regard.
Cameron, for his part, took it with humor and, asked by a deputy, said that out of politeness he had to take the photo, since the leader of Denmark, who is also the daughter-in-law of former British Labor leader Neil Kinnock, asked for it.
"In my defense, I will say that Nelson Mandela played in life and in death an extraordinary role in bringing people together. So, of course, when a member of the Kinnock family asked me for a photograph, I thought it was polite to say that yes," explained the British Prime Minister.
Beyond the controversy, what seems clear is that the "selfie" of Obama, Cameron and Thorning-Schmidt is already one of the most famous of recent times.
