King Charles began his historic speech by thanking the American people for their warm welcome, alongside Queen Camilla, saying that for 250 years the United States and the United Kingdom have remained closely linked.
He then quoted Oscar Wilde with a touch of dry humor: “We really have everything in common with America today, except of course the language! »
The king acknowledged a period of “great uncertainty” facing both nations, referencing the recent violence in Washington as a sober reminder of the fragility of public life.
With constant emphasis, he declared that such acts “will never succeed,” emphasizing that despite differences, the two countries remain aligned to protect their citizens and honor those who serve.
Charles repeated Donald Trump’s own words: “The bond of kinship and identity between America and the United Kingdom is priceless and eternal. It is irreplaceable and unbreakable. »
In a more personal reflection, the monarch recalled his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who addressed the chamber in 1991, saying he was honored to carry on this legacy and bring “the highest esteem and friendship of the British people” to the States.
He joked that when addressing the British Parliament, “an age-old tradition” is still to take an MP “hostage” at Buckingham Palace until the monarch is safely returned.
Everyone started laughing. He continued in the same wry spirit, adding that in modern times, guests are “pretty well taken care of,” often to the point where they “don’t want to leave.”
Turning to the Speaker, he joked, “I don’t know, Mr. Speaker, if there were any volunteers for that role today,” prompting further laughter from the assembled lawmakers.
