Quipping King Charles blends history with humour in Washington
The 77-year-old British monarch addressed Congress and spoke at a state dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump at the White House, his humour a contrast to the brash American leader and reminiscent of the dry wit of his mother, the late queen Elizabeth II.
US Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson applaud as Britain's King Charles III arrives to address a Joint Meeting of Congress in the House Chamber at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on April 28, 2026. (AFP)
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WASHINGTON — King Charles III made gentle fun of the shared history between Britain and the United States on Tuesday as he continued his high-stakes visit to patch up transatlantic ties.
The 77-year-old British monarch addressed Congress and spoke at a state dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump at the White House, his humour a contrast to the brash American leader and reminiscent of the dry wit of his mother, the late queen Elizabeth II.
Here are his top quips:
"I cannot help noticing the readjustments to the East Wing, Mr President, following your visit to Windsor Castle last year," Charles said at the state dinner.
"I am sorry to say that we British, of course, made our own small attempt at real-estate redevelopment of the White House in 1814," he added, to much laughter from the room.
British troops set fire to the White House and other public buildings in August 1814 as part of the Burning of Washington.
Playing the Wilde card
Speaking to Congress, Charles broke the ice with a quote from Irish author, poet and playwright Oscar Wilde to make a point about the "special relationship" between the United States and Britain.
Britain's King Charles III speaks to a Joint Meeting of Congress in the House Chamber at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on April 28, 2026. (AFP)
Life of the party
Just before his dinner toast, Charles quoted a Shakespearean plea for peace, but ended with a winking reference.
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump pose with Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla ahead of a State Dinner in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on April 28, 2026. (AFP)
Britain's King Charles III and US President Donald Trump share a toast during a State Dinner in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on April 28, 2026. (AFP)
"Thank you, Mr President and Mrs Trump, for your splendid dinner this evening, which may I say is a very considerable improvement on the Boston Tea Party," he said, referring to the 1773 act of defiance where protesters dumped tea into Boston Harbor.
Two Georges
Speaking to Congress, Charles referred to the potent symbolism of the American capital city.
"This is a city which symbolises a period in our shared history, or what Charles Dickens might have called A Tale of Two Georges: the first president, George Washington, and my five times great-grandfather, King George III," he said.
"King George, as you know, never set foot in America. And please rest assured, ladies and gentlemen, I am not here as part of some cunning rearguard action."
We call it football
Millions of fans are set to visit the United States, Canada and Mexico in June for the first-ever World Cup shared by three nations.
Charles, as Head of the Commonwealth, noted at the state dinner that, "In just a few weeks, the United States and Canada will be among those to welcome the world as hosts of the FIFA World Cup. So, in one sense, Mr President, as heads of state, we are joint hosts."
"We call this game, by the way, football," he added.
Speaking French
At the dinner, Charles referenced previous comments by Trump aimed at European allies he accuses of freeloading on defence since World War II.
"You recently commented, Mr President, that if it were not for the United States, European countries would be speaking German," the British monarch said.
"Dare I say that, if it wasn't for us, you'd be speaking French."