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King Charles - job well done

(240 Posts)
Wyllow3 Tue 28-Apr-26 20:54:56

www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c4g5lly7qg8t#player

I watched it all, there is a summary on the page above.

He did quite a bit of challenging, more than expected.

Most significant:

Praised an Independent Judiciary. And the whole house applauded on their feet, not just the democrats. Mentioned the need for checks and balances on power

Raised climate change pretty strongly

Nato needed co-operation inc Europe not nations standing alone - he reminded the US on cooperation after 9/11.

Total need to support Ukraine (hint, hint)

Not to be inward looking.

This was one very very clever and well researched and written speech. Clear, articulate, and clever - It went down very well and he is clearly respected, it will be interesting to see what the US press make of it.

Whitewavemark2 Wed 29-Apr-26 11:04:45

I do hope that the U.K. doesn’t twiddle around, still thinking that we can save this special relationship.

We can’t.

Not even I suspect if the Democrats get in next time.

We must plough our own furrow and look to our best interests, both in defence, trade and geo-political relationships.

Canada is doing just that, and looking towards Europe. We would be sensible to follow this example.

JenniferEccles Wed 29-Apr-26 10:40:17

It certainly was an excellent speech and this from a man who must still have an element of jetlag.

He has a busy schedule ahead of him, culminating in a visit to Bermuda.

Allira Wed 29-Apr-26 10:37:44

DaisyAnneReturns

nanna8

Calendargirl

All the monarchy naysayers, when you see Charles in action at events such as this, you realise how important it is to retain them.

Do we want to end up with a President like the USA?

🤷‍♀️

Quite. King Charles is a good and diplomatic King. Wish they had a good leader like him in the States. He has dignity and doesn’t ‘suck up’ in the way politicians often do.

He isn't a "leader" nanna8. He is the Head of State. He performs ceremonial, constitutional, and diplomatic duties, representing national unity while remaining politically neutral.

Unfortunately, the US decided to have a political Head if State.

King Charles is Head of State and Ceremonial Leader who reigns but does not rule as opposed to a political leader.

Wyllow3 Wed 29-Apr-26 10:34:02

Oh he'll ignore what he doesn't want to hear.

Nevertheless the whole of Congress heard it with rousing applause - and so will a chunk of the population, hoping it gives heart so some especially on

joining in the world at large more
an indépendant and checks and balances judiciary.

Allira Wed 29-Apr-26 10:33:46

Caleo

Allira

We do know that.

It's how the speech is delivered which is as important as the content. It was extremely well received.

I agree. The medium is the message and the content is secondary.

No, in fact what I said was that both the content and delivery were of equal importance.

TheatreLover
Trust Trump to try to twist things to suit his own agenda!

Patsy70 Wed 29-Apr-26 10:29:03

Our King delivered his speech with grace, diplomacy and a little humour. I feel very proud to be British. However, it remains to be seen how Trump reacts once the King and Queen leave the US.

Allira Wed 29-Apr-26 10:23:40

ferry23

An outstanding example of how the soft diplomacy of our Royal Family makes it so valuable. The naysayers with their old chestnuts of "parasites", "scroungers" etc fail to see the less than obvious through their one dimensional spectacles or just simply don't really understand how powerful the Royals can be on the international stage. They are the original "influencers".

Absolutely, ferry23!

Those who only see through green-tinted spectacles envy totally miss the point of a Constitutional Monarchy.

Wyllow3 Wed 29-Apr-26 10:10:09

I'm still very proud. of him 🙂

I checked out the Fox News as compared with CNN last night.

Fox News tried to pick it to pieces and asserted that the parties in the UK who closely matched US values were in order

Reform UK
Conservatives

Well, no surprise there, but an awful lack of respect, frankly. I must admit even for Fox News I was shocked

CNN reported it as a list of points in a fairly neutral way, we'd have to wait to see the analysis.

But they did feature the point on an independent judiciary and checks and balances which of course is the one issue that many Republicans are very uneasy on.

The New York Times, not too surprisingly, was pretty "pro" but I was only able to read a partial article as its behind a paywall.

Witzend Wed 29-Apr-26 10:04:36

He did it very well, and I for one never doubted that he would.

Caleo Wed 29-Apr-26 10:03:59

Allira

We do know that.

It's how the speech is delivered which is as important as the content. It was extremely well received.

I agree. The medium is the message and the content is secondary.

Gingster Wed 29-Apr-26 09:58:45

I felt so proud to be British.
Well done King Charles 👏👏👏

GrannyGravy13 Wed 29-Apr-26 09:25:38

MartavTaurus

ferry23

An outstanding example of how the soft diplomacy of our Royal Family makes it so valuable. The naysayers with their old chestnuts of "parasites", "scroungers" etc fail to see the less than obvious through their one dimensional spectacles or just simply don't really understand how powerful the Royals can be on the international stage. They are the original "influencers".

👏 👏 👏 👏

Totally agree 👏👏👏

TheatreLover Wed 29-Apr-26 09:21:28

Trump made a comment in his speech, when discussing Iran, that was potentially embarrassing for the King:

"We have militarily defeated that particular opponent, and we're never going to let that opponent ever - Charles agrees with me, even more than I do - we're never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon".

This morning, Buckingham Palace responded "The King is naturally mindful of his Government's long-standing and well-known position on the prevention of nuclear proliferation".

notgran Wed 29-Apr-26 09:18:29

ferry23

An outstanding example of how the soft diplomacy of our Royal Family makes it so valuable. The naysayers with their old chestnuts of "parasites", "scroungers" etc fail to see the less than obvious through their one dimensional spectacles or just simply don't really understand how powerful the Royals can be on the international stage. They are the original "influencers".

Couldn't agree more. I am a "Royalist" and this speech and Royal visit to USA encapsulates why our Royal Family is so important. A visit and speech by a Prime Minister wouldn't have the same impact

Grantanow Wed 29-Apr-26 09:09:54

I think it shows the value of a monarchy. If we were a republic with some superannuated politician as President it would be very difficult to achieve the same graceful, effective performance.

sixandahalf Wed 29-Apr-26 09:09:21

Luckygirl3

I am no royalist but I think KC hit the spot and it clearly struck a chord with his audience, lawmakers all who appeared to endorse his espousal of the rule of law. Let's hope they remember this when they are dealing with Trump's undemocratic excesses.
Clearly the government's message was centre stage in the speech and hopefully some British minds might also have been given food for thought.

Me neither Luckygirl. It was very clever at saying something without saying something. How anybody can interpret this as pro Trump is beyond me.

King Charles and Pope Leo, decent human beings in a sea of filth.

mae13 Wed 29-Apr-26 09:07:23

But Trump claimed King Charles agreed with him as regards America's military intervention/blitz in the Middle East.

Really?

Or is this Trump over-reaching himself and yet another episode of shouting his mouth off?

nanna8 Wed 29-Apr-26 09:05:39

I actually used to teach British history and whilst my memory isn’t what it was I don’t think I have forgotten the role of the monarch just yet. Still, whatever.

MartavTaurus Wed 29-Apr-26 08:52:04

I don't think nanna8 necessarily meant a political leader here?
She actually stated the antithesis to politicians.
Someone who shows intellectual curiosity. Someone who applies critical thinking.
You could say, someone who is above politics and leads through wisdom. In that respect, Charles IS a leader

foxie48 Wed 29-Apr-26 08:49:26

He did a great job in representing the UK as a sane country with moral values. Camilla is also an asset to the country, she has grown into her role as Queen and is clearly a great support to Charles.

DaisyAnneReturns Wed 29-Apr-26 08:34:29

nanna8

Calendargirl

All the monarchy naysayers, when you see Charles in action at events such as this, you realise how important it is to retain them.

Do we want to end up with a President like the USA?

🤷‍♀️

Quite. King Charles is a good and diplomatic King. Wish they had a good leader like him in the States. He has dignity and doesn’t ‘suck up’ in the way politicians often do.

He isn't a "leader" nanna8. He is the Head of State. He performs ceremonial, constitutional, and diplomatic duties, representing national unity while remaining politically neutral.

Unfortunately, the US decided to have a political Head if State.

AGAA4 Wed 29-Apr-26 07:58:06

I'm very proud of our king this morning. Hopefully he has smoothed things over with Trump who said the king's speech was fantastic. Time will tell but for now well done King Charles!

MartavTaurus Wed 29-Apr-26 07:47:40

Whitewavemark2

Looking at his life and many interests across a wide spectrum, Charles has claim I think to be a modern Renaissance man.

He won the Palazzo Strozzi award in 2011. I'm glad his philanthropy was recognised, and follows him round the world.

Whitewavemark2 Wed 29-Apr-26 07:45:33

Allsorts

Very good speech hopefully satisfying Tango man.

Perhaps, but only until Charles leaves the country.

Allsorts Wed 29-Apr-26 07:43:17

Very good speech hopefully satisfying Tango man.