Louis Garneau

Who is Louis Garneau?

Louis Garneau, OC, CQ is a Canadian road racing and track cyclist and cyclewear manufacturer. Apart from the fame stemming from his eponymous company, he is probably best known for putting his arm around Elizabeth II while having his photo taken, thus breaking what the United Kingdom considers royal protocol. As the protocol surrounding the Canadian monarchy is less strictly observed, the incident was more controversial in the UK than it was in Canada.

Garneau 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'." Garneau was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1999 and a Knight of the National Order of Quebec in 1997.