flanked by
すでにポストされていますが、オバマ大統領がイギリスを訪問し、ジョージ王子は就寝時間を少しだけ送らせて、大統領と挨拶を交わしました。
Prince George meets President Obama after staying up past his bedtime... but Princess Charlotte sleeps through it all
Dressed in pyjamas and a dressing gown, George was pictured shaking hands with the President and playing on his rocking horse
As a two-year-old royal, Prince George has already met some of the world's most famous people in his short life.
But clearly the toddler was especially excited about the prospect of meeting President Obama and his wife Michelle tonight.
The Obamas arrived for an informal dinner at Kensington Palace with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry tonight.
But Prince George was also allowed to stay up a few minutes past his bedtime to meet the guests.
Dressed in pyjamas and a dressing gown, George was pictured shaking hands with the President and playing on his rocking horse.
However, one person who was not in attendance was Princess Charlotte. Kensington Palace later confirmed she was fast asleep for the visit.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry greeted Mr and Mrs Obama in a courtyard at Kensington Palace.
The president shouted "oh there you are - hello" after they stepped out of the presidential black Cadillac, flanked by secret service staff.
William, wearing a blue jacket, trousers and light blue shirt without a tie, apologised to the Obamas, who both sheltered from the rain under a single black umbrella as they made their way towards the door.
"Sorry about the weather," he joked.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/prince-george-meets-president-obama-7814096
今回取り上げる表現はflanked byです。『ライトハウス英和辞典』（第5版 研究社）で調べてみますと、他動詞で「（しばしば受身で）（…）の側面にある（置く）」という意味があることが分かりました。動詞ではbyまたはwithを伴ってこの意味になります。LDOCEで調べてみますと “to be on both sides of someone or something” という意味が見つかりました。後ろにくるsecret service staff が大統領の警護にあたるボディーガードを表しており、また単数であるので、片側に１人の人が立っていた状況が伺えます。
この表現は過去にも何度か取り上げられております。（aqua）
