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Michelle Obama cannot hide her irritation as she is snubbed at a royal palace in Saudi Arabia.

America’s first lady, who caused a stir for declining to cover her head, pursed her lips as most members of an all-male delegation filed past without shaking her hand.

There was even more controversy yesterday amid claims Saudi state television blurred her out during broadcasts.

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Michelle Obama cannot hide her irritation as she is snubbed at a royal palace in Saudi Arabia.

America’s first lady, who caused a stir by declining to cover her head, pursed her lips as most members of an all-male delegation filed past without shaking her hand.

There was even more controversy yesterday amid claims Saudi state television blurred her out during broadcasts.

(Image: Getty)

The country’s treatment of women is frequently condemned. Women living there are banned from driving, must always have a male chaperone when in public and have to keep their hair covered.

Mrs Obama’s stance divided opinion in the West. On Twitter, Londoner Mony Al-Ali said: “I do not appreciate her

disrespect.” But another Twitter user in the capital, graphic designer Piccia, said: “Thank you Michelle Obama for standing up for women. Now can we also tell them that lashes & beheadings are not ok.”

(Image: REUTERS)

Barack Obama and wife Michelle were in Saudi capital Riyadh to pay their respects after the death last week of King Abdullah.

In the receiving line at the palace, the first lady stood between her husband and the new monarch, King Salman.

Saudi officials denied that Mrs Obama had been blurred out on state TV.