Donald Trump greeted King Charles at the South Portico of the White House for a state dinner on 28 April in Washington DC. The king's polished brass bell bearing the name 'Trump', presented at Tuesday's state dinner, was an ego-flattering masterstroke that drew groans from foreign capitals.
A Masterclass in Diplomacy
King Charles managed to tame Trump while rebuking Trumpism, writing a love letter to America while eviscerating the 'Make America great again' movement. His style appealed to Republicans' warm feelings about Britain, while his content appealed to Democrats anxious about institutions and the rules-based order.
Charles's address to Congress included remarks on Magna Carta as the foundation of checks on executive power, a pointed message in the current political climate. Presidential historian Jon Meacham called it 'a kind of masterclass in how someone not tied to the minute-to-minute political realities of popular politics' can deliver a warning and inspiration.
Ironies and Contrasts
Back home, Charles is the ailing head of a tainted family symbolising class privilege and colonialism. Yet in the US, the country that kicked out his ancestor 250 years ago, he was hailed as a defender of democracy. The visit highlighted the contrast with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whom Trump described as needing to learn from the king's approach.
The king's speech at the state dinner gently nodded to Trump controversies, including a quip about European languages. Trump seemed charmed, blanking out bits he didn't want to hear. However, the visit also saw a tonal shift in New York, where Mayor Zohran Mamdani raised the issue of the Koh-i-Noor diamond.
Despite the adulation, the visit glossed over historical scandals including British monarchs' involvement in slavery and modern issues like the treatment of Diana and Meghan. Yet Trump announced tariff removals on Scottish whisky in honour of the king, cementing the visit's success.
