King Charles in US: Key Takeaways

The US-UK relations are strained due to British reluctance to back the US-Israeli war against Iran. Consequently, the King sought to ease tensions with a royal charm offensive, notably his joint address to Congress. The King spoke of “reconciliation and renewal”, characterising centuries of interactions between the nations. This was the first royal address to Congress since 1991. His speech buoyed Democrats but raised eyebrows in the White House.

An acknowledgement of uncertainty

Admitting you have a problem is the first step of recovery. Accordingly, Charles started his speech by diving into the “times of great uncertainty” that confront both the US and the UK. He ticked through conflicts in West Asia and Europe, while noting the threat to democracy presented by the political violence that upended on Saturday night’s White House Corre­spondents’ Dinner. He noted the two nations, when in alignment, can do great things “not just for the benefit of our peoples, but of all peoples”.

A warning about US executive power

When Charles noted that executive power “subject to checks and balances” was a British legal tradition enshrined in the Magna Carta, he received a standing ovation. Donald Trump’s critics have frequently denounced the president for what they see as his abuse of power. Later, the King noted: “America’s words carry weight and meaning... The actions of this great nation matter even more.”

nod to Nato & trans-atlantic alliance

Quoting former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, the King spoke of an Atlantic partnership and noted that the only time Nato mobilised in defence of one of its member-states was after the 9/11 terror attacks. Charles, who served for five years in the Royal Navy, used his service as an entry point to remark on security and intelligence relations. He also mentioned climate change, noting the “disastrously melting ice-caps of the Arctic”.

No mention of Epstein’s victims

One of the biggest questions was if he would reference Jeffrey Epstein or address the late sex offender’s victims. He did not. The closest he came was an oblique reference to the need to “support victims of some of the ills that, so tragically, exist in both our societies today”. Last year, Congress passed legislation mandating the release of US government-held files related to the Epstein probe, which revealed connections to the King’s brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

royal humour touch

Given the seriousness of the objectives, the speech was whimsical at times. He opened with an Oscar Wilde line about the US and England having everything in common “except, of course, a language”. He joked about the member of British parliament held “hostage” when the King speaks at Westminster and wondered whether anyone in Congress had volunteered for such a job on Tuesday.