Kathleen Parker: How King Charles tamed Trump
The response to the monarch’s speech revealed a courteous America.
King Charles III speaks before a joint meeting of Congress on Tuesday. (Matt Rourke/AP)
King Charles III’s charm and eloquence during his recent visit seemed to mend the frayed seams of the American body politic — at least for one day.
During his address to a joint meeting of Congress on Tuesday, the monarch brought politicians from all corners to their feet in spirited applause, often in response to the same words. Perfectly timed for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the message from Charles (may I call you Charles?) to the people’s representatives was less revolutionary than ordinary — the basic stuff of free people living in a democratic republic. You’d almost have thought the chamber was filled not with sworn enemies but with well-bred courtiers eager to please their king.
I’ve often thought, and now have concluded, that the standard British accent really ought to be considered a weapon. We Americans may have fought to the bloody finish to escape the oppression of European kings, especially those of the British Empire, but Americans wilt like perfumed ladies in the presence of a British accent of the Received Pronunciation variety, not to be confused with dozens of other accents and dialects from England. I wonder how many Americans who supported the Iraq War would admit to having been influenced by British Prime Minister Tony Blair rather than President George W. Bush of the Texas plains. That said, even the Scottish-born Blair would occasionally street-ify his accent depending on circumstances, but he was pure cashmere when he spoke about the justification for going to war.
When President Donald Trump introduced Charles during his visit to the White House, he mentioned His Majesty’s “beautiful accent.” Trump apparently isn’t immune to the allure of the Brits’ version of English. A linguist will have to explain why Americans and Brits can express the same sentiment with the same words, and the latter sounds more intelligent, interesting and convincing.
Obviously, two men couldn’t be more different in temperament, conduct or worldview than the president and the king. Yet, somehow Charles, by his mere presence, managed to tame Trump’s usual impulsivity, brusqueness and temptation to sometimes insult his own guests. Think back to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the United States in 2025 when he was ambushed by Vice President JD Vance and Trump during a televised meeting in the White House. Both men shouted at the Ukrainian leader for, of all things, not saying “thank you” during the meeting for U.S. support in the war against Russia. You know how important manners are to Trump.
The king, of course, has no true political power and is, therefore, no threat to Trump. Nor does he want anything from him. Charles did, however, speak about the importance of protecting NATO, Ukraine “and her most courageous people,” while Trump treats Ukraine like a bad girlfriend, useful at times but not really much for the long haul. While Trump refers to NATO as a “paper tiger,” Charles said the defense of Ukraine is “needed in order to secure a truly just and lasting peace.”
A lifelong environmental activist, Charles also urged Congress to “address the collapse of critical natural systems.” Lawmakers applauded him, though Republicans didn’t stand as Democrats did. Protecting Earth and its resources hasn’t been a priority for Trump, who seems to view the planet as a venue for global greenways and various architectural excesses.
Though plainly at odds with Trump on important matters, Charles focused most of his speech on the two nations’ shared history, values and commitments to freedom and mutual support. The alliance between the U.S. and Britain, he said, is built not only on history but also on continued cooperation and “cannot rest on past achievements.” Trump, too, stressed the friendship between the two allies, their shared language (sort of), and the “moral courage” he said America owes to Britain.
At a time when No Kings rallies have gathered steam with millions of protesters filling streets in towns and cities across the country, it is ironic that it took a real king to bring civility and honor to the nation’s capital. While Trump critics have long presumed he is a wannabe king, with good reason, the president could do worse than Charles as a role model. It’s probably easy to be magnanimous and display humility when you oversee $46 billion in assets held in trust for the kingdom.
Still, Charles’s manners, polish and diplomatic approach have been such a welcome contrast to the thuggish tone of American politics, one might wish he’d stay a while longer. What’s clear is that his respectful treatment of Trump brought out the president’s best self. (Who knew he had one?) Elevated by association with a proper king, and enjoying the glow of public approval, Trump may have liked the feeling enough to seek to replicate it. A British accent wouldn’t hurt his persuasive powers, though ultimately, we might be grateful he doesn’t have one. There’s no telling what an erudite, mellifluous King Trump might talk us into.
