Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1333 EAT on Wednesday 29 April 2026

During a speech in Washington on Monday night, King Charles III used historical references to inject humour into his remarks, drawing laughter from the audience despite the serious nature of the events he cited.

The King thanked Donald Trump for a “splendid dinner,” joking that it was a “significant improvement on the Boston Tea Party.” The 1773 protest saw American colonists storm British ships in Boston Harbour and dump more than 300 chests of tea into the water, in defiance of taxation imposed by Britain — a pivotal moment in the build-up to the American Revolution.

In a second light-hearted remark, Charles referred to the president’s reported plans to construct a ballroom on the White House’s East Wing.

“I am sorry to say that we British, of course, made our own attempt at real estate redevelopment of the White House in 1814,” he said.

The comment alluded to the Burning of Washington during the War of 1812, when British forces set fire to the White House as then-President James Madison fled the capital.

The attack, carried out in retaliation for an earlier American assault on York in Upper Canada, remains the only time a foreign power has captured and occupied Washington.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are scheduled to visit New York later today, where they will meet families of victims of the September 11 attacks ahead of the 25th anniversary commemorations later this year.

The King will also visit a grassroots urban farming initiative that mentors children affected by food insecurity, highlighting efforts to support vulnerable communities.
Meanwhile, the Queen will attend a literary event celebrating British and American writing, hosted by The Queen’s Reading Room, the charity she founded, alongside prominent authors.

In the evening, the King is expected to meet business and financial leaders at an event aimed at strengthening transatlantic trade ties.

The day will conclude with a reception celebrating the work of The King’s Trust, with a focus on cultural and creative links between the United Kingdom and the United States.

During a speech in Washington, D.C. on Monday night, King Charles III drew laughter from the audience as he referenced two major historical events in remarks that juxtaposed humour with episodes of serious historical consequence.

Thanking Donald Trump for a “splendid dinner,” the King joked that it was a “significant improvement on the Boston Tea Party.” The 1773 protest saw American colonists storm British ships in Boston Harbour and dump more than 300 chests of tea into the sea, in opposition to taxation policies imposed by Britain — a key turning point on the path to the American Revolution.

He then turned to the president’s reported plans to construct a ballroom in the White House East Wing, adding: “I am sorry to say that we British, of course, made our own attempt at real estate redevelopment of the White House in 1814.”

The remark referred to the Burning of Washington during the War of 1812, when British forces set fire to the White House as President James Madison fled the capital.

The attack, carried out in retaliation for an earlier American assault on York in Upper Canada, remains the only time a foreign power has captured and occupied Washington.

The royal visit to the United States has renewed focus on recent anti-Donald Trump demonstrations that have sought to portray the president as a would-be monarch.

Over the past year, protests have taken place across the country under the banner “No Kings” — a slogan rooted in America’s anti-monarchy origins and revolutionary history.

Asked about the comparison, Marc Lotter, who served as a strategist on Trump’s 2020 election campaign, said the president has no intention of remaining in office beyond 2028, when the U.S. Constitution requires him to step down.

Trump “absolutely not” sees himself as a king, Lotter said, adding: “There is no discussion of, obviously, being a monarch.”
He also pointed to the bipartisan reception given to King Charles III during his address to Congress, describing it as unusual in recent years.

“Nothing in the United States could get both Democrats and Republicans in Congress to rise together and applaud except the King,” Lotter said.

While the state visit to the United States has been widely described by commentators as successful so far, it has not been without diplomatic sensitivities.

King Charles III arrived at the White House shortly after the Financial Times reported that the UK’s ambassador to Washington had told a group of students that America’s only “special relationship” is “probably Israel.”

The comments, attributed to Sir Christian Turner and reportedly made in February, were described by the UK Foreign Office as “private” and “informal,” adding that they were “not any reflection” of government policy.

Later at the state banquet, tensions over the Middle East resurfaced when Donald Trump suggested the King supported his policy on Iran, amid ongoing strains between the UK and US over the conflict.

Buckingham Palace said the King had simply reiterated the UK government’s long-standing position on Iran during his discussions with the president.

The King also touched on sensitive geopolitical issues in his own remarks, describing the NATO alliance as vital in an “increasingly complex and contested world.”

However, Trump — a long-time NATO sceptic — has repeatedly criticised member states over their levels of support and defence contributions amid heightened tensions linked to the Iran conflict.

David Manning, a former British ambassador to the United States, has said it is a “very good thing” that the royal visit has gone ahead despite what he described as a “strained relationship” between London and Washington.

There had been some uncertainty over the programme following an incident at the weekend in which a gunman allegedly stormed a hotel where Donald Trump was attending an event.

However, the visit has proceeded largely as planned, allowing King Charles III to “deliver key messages in an excellently crafted speech,” Manning said.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast, he said the King’s references to the NATO alliance were “very important,” adding: “I think the whole idea is that we are stronger both bilaterally and internationally together.”

Manning’s remarks underscore the diplomatic significance of the visit, with officials on both sides viewing it as an opportunity to reinforce long-standing security and political ties between the United Kingdom and the United States, despite recent strains in the relationship.

-BBC

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