analysis
Charles III can be applauded by Republicans and Democrats in the American Parliament – with a calm speech in which he sets specific accents.
April 29, 2026, 04:51April 29, 2026, 04:51
It will soon be 250 years since the USA broke away from the British king in a bloody war of independence. As the great-great-great-great-great-grandson of George III. But when he gave a speech in Congress in Washington on Tuesday, there was no trace of the previous animosity. Politicians from both parties cheered Charles III. rather, they gave the king, who is on his first state visit to the former colonies with his wife, sustained applause.
King Charles was able to arouse sympathy among both Democrats and Republicans.Image: keystone
The Regent seemed to enjoy his appearance in Congress, which was planned down to the last detail. Charles did not seem particularly animated during his speech, which he read from a manuscript. But sometimes the 77-year-old king put on a subtle smile. Or took an artistic break to give the assembled MPs time to process a witty remark. For example this:
“As Oscar Wilde said: We Brits really have everything in common with America, except of course the language.”
“We have to build on this”
The message he conveyed during his 30-minute appearance was similarly subtle. Charles spoke in detail about the special relationship that binds Great Britain and the USA – even though the partnership arose “from a dispute”. He spoke of the Allies fighting together. And about how his mother – Queen Elizabeth II – praised the “Special Relationship” during a speech to Congress 35 years ago.
But Charles also emphasized that the two countries should not rest on their laurels. Charles quoted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, of all people, who is currently arguing with American President Donald Trump over the Iran war. Starmer recently said:
«We cannot ignore everything that has sustained us over the last eighty years. Instead we have to build on it.”
The way the king repeated these sentences gave the audience the impression that Charles shared this opinion.
However, the king did not want to say this openly. On the one hand, it is not the job of the British head of state to interfere in day-to-day political business. On the other hand, Charles tries not to further provoke the unpredictable president in the White House.
Trump, on the other hand, seems to be so taken with Charles and his wife Camilla that he forgives him a lot. The king has so far used this leeway quite cleverly. In his speech to Congress, for example, he occasionally resorted to strong language.
Donald Trump enjoys the British royals.Image: keystone
He talked about how important the Christian faith was to him. This passage seemed to particularly please Vice President JD Vance, who was sitting directly behind the guest speaker. In the next sentence, however, the king emphasized the importance of interreligious dialogue. Many Democratic representatives clapped here.
Charles mentioned the Ukraine war and environmental protection
Left-wing parliamentarians were also delighted by the way Charles drew a line from the Magna Carta to the American Constitution and explicitly mentioned the principle of separation of powers (“checks and balances”). Many Democrats in the Senate and House of Representatives see themselves as the last defenders of the democratic order in the USA, which President Trump wants to destroy.
The fact that the British King (of all people!) recognized this effort lifted their spirits. Some Republican lawmakers also took issue with Charles mentioning the Ukraine War and praising the bravery of the Ukrainian people. But at the end, even MPs who generally have little to do with European monarchs gave King Charles warm applause.
The British king achieved a feat that had not been admired in the meeting room of the House of Representatives for a long time. Even though one of his ancestors was a hated man in Washington, Charles bridged the gap that normally separates Democrats and Republicans with a statesmanlike address. (bzbasel.ch)