The King in America

King Charles III of Great Britain and President Donald Trump of the United States

This past week (April 27^th – 30^th, 2026) the United States hosted a state visit from the King and Queen of Great Britain for the first time since the ascension of the new monarch to his throne in September of 2022 (coronation in May of 2023). King Charles III, in addition to being King of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, is simultaneously sovereign of 15 other Commonwealth Realms, including our neighbor to the north, Canada. Since he came to the throne in 2022 the King has had a mixed reception in the anglosphere (US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc.), and while many criticize him for his views on nature, architecture, and other “political” topics, it is no secret that his visit to the United States was a tremendous success. Many of his subjects encouraged the King to cancel his trip to the United States out of fear that he would simply roll over and give the Americans whatever they wanted, or worse, give the current administration a diplomatic win with a seal of approval from the most famous royal family in the world. Many of us passionate royalists and avowed monarchists however knew better than that, and based on the results of last weeks visit, we feel rather vindicated.

This year marks the 250^th anniversary of US independence from Great Britain, and that fact was on the minds of most informed people paying attention this past week. King Charles gave two important speeches during his time in Washington DC, one at a joint session of Congress, and another during a state dinner hosted by President Trump at the White House. During his congressional speech, the King received standing ovation after standing ovation, to the point where the length of his speech increased from the intended 20 minutes up to 30 minutes; no surprise there as the King easily demonstrated both his humor and intelligence throughout. He stressed the special relationship between the UK and the US; that while it began with an intense dispute resulting in war, the shared bonds are no less strong for it. He took liberty to remind everyone as well, that he is the 5-times great grandson and heir to our last King, George III, who reigned during the war of independence. He complimented the US on the courage of her people, their spirit, their tenacity, their ingenuity, and their collective drive for greatness, all the while stressing that much of what the US is, they have in fact inherited from their ancestors in Europe, and specifically the British people. Pointing out that the United States, while fighting for independence from Great Britain on the grounds of “no taxation without representation”, was actually pulling from older British political and social precedence dating back centuries to Magna Carta in 1215.

The speech listed a collection of achievements that the US and UK have accomplished together over the centuries; shared sacrifice in both world wars, scientific and technological advancements, economic growth and the massive increase in global standards, etc. He of course fitted in a few points regarding environmental degradation, however he did it in such a way that the Congressmen and women assembled could not ignore his words; quoting one of our own presidents, Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt. He also took time to say something that is not often mentioned by politicians these days, that “the Christian faith is a firm anchor and daily inspiration that guides us not only personally but together as members of our community.” Adding the caveat that the King has indeed participated in “interfaith dialogue” for decades, but that doesn’t really bother us as monarchists very much, indeed it raises the King in our estimation.

Ending his speech to congress, he made a very poignant observation to the sound of audible gasps in the chamber:

 “America’s words carry weight and meaning, as they have since independence. The actions of this great nation matter even more”

Once again, he supported his words by quoting one of our most famous presidents, Abraham Lincoln, specifically the “magisterial” Gettysburg Address. “The world may little note what we say but will never forget what we do.” In closing he wished that both the US and UK (likely implying also all other countries over which he is the King) “rededicate ourselves to each other, in the selfless service of our peoples, and of all the peoples of the world.”

We as monarchists also noticed something very interesting about his speech, and it wasn’t so much his words, but it was the response of the Congressmen and women to his words. During the past several administrations, when the president gives his “State of the Union” address to a joint session, the political factionalism in the chamber is so thick you could cut it with a knife. So often we’ve seen one side of the chamber clap and stand while the other side remains seated and silent. How ironic then that a King, and the heir to George III no less, was able to summon the ability of all those politicians to stand and applaud in equal measure. Even more ironic if one remembers that the democratic faction in US politics adamantly supports the “No Kings” movement. Of course, they will say No Kings refers to no tyranny or no dictatorship, but I digress.

King Charles III speech at the White House was equally successful though his tone this time was more personal. Once again utilizing his wit, the King joked about the new ballroom construction at the White House, referencing British attempts at “real estate redevelopment” back in 1814 to the laughter of the entire dining room (a reference to the war of 1812 and the burning of the White House by British soldiers). He restated the connections between Great Britain and the United States, reminiscing that reading many of our state names and place names is like looking through a family Christmas card (Maryland, the Carolinas, Virginia, Georgia, Georgetown, Charleston, etc.). His Majesty also took the opportunity to point out (receiving another heavy dose of laughter), that while it is true that without the USA, Europeans today might be speaking German, it is also true that without the British, Americans today would be speaking French; referencing the entire colonial period, and specifically the 7 Years War, where British armies defended America from rival empires. He closed his speech with a personal gift to the president, a bell from the submarine HMS Trump which fought in the pacific campaigns of the Second World War. Offering a toast to both countries and closing out with more applause and visible gratitude from President Trump himself.

Overall, it is plain to see that the Kings visit to the United States ahead of our 250^th anniversary as an independent country was extremely successful. His words were clear, his intentions were good and he made no personal attacks or slights towards the USA or the president himself, but he did not shrink from the occasion either. He made sure everyone was aware how he and his governments view the United States (indeed how the world views the United States) but never in a way that conveyed dissatisfaction or ill-will, always honest and mature but with a slight cautionary tone, as one might expect from a parent or grandparent. The visit of King Charles III to the US and hearing him speak once again demonstrated to all of us what real statesmanship looks like. Indeed, it demonstrated what only Kings are capable of achieving with their words.

King Charles might not possess the same level of official power of President Trump, much of the power of the British crown has changed hands over the centuries. But even if Charles III was as powerful as President Trump, or even as powerful as his royal ancestors, I imagine the visit still would have been just as successful. It is the office of King in particular which makes the difference, not the power that office wields, elected politicians can never and will never achieve the legitimacy, the aura, nor the prestige possessed by Kings.

- Augustus