Cyclist disarms Queen for photograph

Louis Garneau, a former champion cyclist, made the etiquette blunder by putting his arm around the Queen after she agreed to be photographed with him by his wife Monique Arsenault.

The incident was reminiscent of one that involved the former Australian prime minister, Paul Keating in 1992 . When Mr Keating put his arm around the Queen it earned him the sobriquet the "Lizard of Oz" from the press.

Apparently unperturbed by Mr Garneau’s touch, the Queen smiled broadly for the camera. A palace official with the Queen said: "It’s not the first time that someone has put an arm around the Queen and, again, the Queen just takes it as it comes."

Mr Garneau, 44, said: "I asked for a picture and she said ‘no problem’. So I just put my arm around her shoulder. In sport, we do that all the time.

"The Queen said, ‘I remember you - you were a cyclist - I hope business is good now’," Mr Garneau said. "I hope I haven’t done anything wrong."

At the end of a hugely successful cycling career, during which he won more than 150 races and competed in the Olympics, Mr Garneau set up a business manufacturing his own upmarket sportswear, bicycles and fitness equipment. He was one of 50 VIP Canadians invited to the lunch, at the Queen’s official residence, Rideau Hall, in Ottawa, on Canada’s Thanksgiving Day.