Americans warmly embraced royalty 250 years after rejecting it. From the White House to small town main street, the republic extended a hospitable welcome to the King and Queen.
American independence 250 years ago was a rejection of the British monarchy at the point of a musket, but this week it was fully embraced in the US. From the White House to small town main street, the republic extended a warm welcome to royalty and temporarily dampened – to a point – the partisan politics on Capitol Hill. Meanwhile, US TV channels lapped up the visuals of the pomp and pageantry.
The stakes could not have been higher for the state visit, marking the 250th anniversary of America’s split with Britain, amid fractious transatlantic relations over the Iran war, which has put Donald Trump at loggerheads with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Inevitably, the trip boiled down to decoding the nuanced words conveyed by the King and the widely differing interpretations drawn.
Many, certainly in the UK, saw Charles’s historic speech to a joint meeting of Congress as a subtle rebuke to the US president, stressing the need for a strong Nato and the importance of the separation of powers and checks and balances on the executive. A news analysis in the New York Times said: “To many Americans, the sharp edges of the King’s seemingly tactful message may not have been apparent. And even Mr Trump seems to have been oblivious to the fact that Charles was gently taking him to task.” It pointed to the president’s remarks as he waved off the royal couple, saying they were: “Great people. We need more people like that in our country.” The article added: “The King is, of course, British, and like his fellow countrymen, can be famously indirect. Americans looking for blunt or obvious statements were always going to be disappointed.”
But this view was rejected by Republicans. In a post on social media, Washington representative Michael Baumgartner said: “What nonsense. Not one Republican in the Congressional chamber thought King Charles was criticising President Trump. We heard KC speak warmly about our shared culture, political history and military accomplishments. Invoking ‘action matters more than words’ is the antithesis of a Trump critique.”
Nevertheless, it was notable that some of the King’s words were not universally supported by all. The monarch’s call for the “same unyielding resolve” to be shown for the defence of Ukraine as that seen in the wake of the 2001 atrocity saw a number of Republicans remain seated as most others rose to applaud. His urging to safeguard nature as “the foundation for our prosperity and our national security”, also drew a similar muted response from the same group.
There has been particular focus stateside on vice president JD Vance sitting stony-faced, while his own Republican colleague and house speaker Mike Johnson leapt to his feet to applaud. And while the King may have been spared any direct criticism, his presence was used to goad political opponents. The White House posted a photograph of Charles and Mr Trump laughing together with the caption “TWO KINGS”. This was seen as a taunt to critics of the president who have sought to portray him as a would-be monarch and which has given rise to nationwide “No Kings” protests against the president.
Mr Trump’s supporters also accused the Democrats of hypocrisy in giving a standing ovation to an actual King, having backed the recent demonstrations. And away from the corridors of power and the protocol of the formal Washington engagements, there was a sincere fondness for the royal couple, at least based on the many thousands who turned out in Front Royal, a rural town in Virginia, just a stone’s throw from the Blue Ridge Mountains. There was genuine excitement amongst the Union flag-waving crowds, who queued for hours and braved heavy secret service security to finally catch a glimpse of the King and Queen.
It was the chance Charles and Camilla had to meet members of the public during their frenetic four-day visit. Among those to meet the royal couple was Melissa Saffelle, of Bloomington Wild speciality cut flower farm, who said: “They were lovely. It was an honour”. Tracy Bloom, from Upperville, a 30-minute drive from Front Royal, who raises Welsh breed Kerry Hill sheep, had named a pair of newborn lambs Charles and Camilla in their honour. After meeting the royal couple, she said: “It’s a great day, I’m excited and love them.”
Whether the soft power charm offensive by the monarch has a lasting impact remains to be seen. At least in the short-term, the effect was immediate, with the president announcing the removal of tariffs on Scotch whisky, in a major boost for the industry. However, in an unpredictable world, a change in policy is just a Truth Social post away.
