Beneath King Charles' jokes and decorum lie subtle rebuttals to Trump

King Charles III quoted author Oscar Wilde, joking that the British have everything in common with America “except, of course, language”.

- Michael D. Shear and Zolan Kanno-Youngs

Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla with US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the White House on April 28. King Charles' state visit comes at a dire moment in American-British relations, arguably at their lowest point in decades over the war in Iran and Mr Trump's scathing attacks on NATO. PHOTO: AFP

(AFP)

US President Donald Trump said the morning’s gloomy rain reminded him of a “beautiful British day” and noted that his mother thought young Prince Charles was “so cute”. Both men waxed poetic about the bonds between their countries.

Yet, on the first full day of a state visit focused on the shared history between the US and Britain, the King sprinkled in some ever-so-subtle rebuttals to Mr Trump. He spoke on April 28 of the value of the transatlantic alliance, the importance of checks and balances and his passion for the environment. He even spoke of his time in the Royal Navy, after Mr Trump belittled British naval capabilities in recent weeks.

The King tucked his rejoinders into a mostly lighthearted speech to Congress, which drew applause and laughter from the audience of Democrats and Republicans. It was only the second time a British monarch had addressed Congress.

“Please rest assured I am not here as part of some cunning rearguard action!” the King said.

The disciplined and careful public appearances by King Charles and Mr Trump came at a dire moment in American-British relations, arguably at their lowest point in decades over the war in Iran and Mr Trump’s scathing attacks on NATO.

But for a day (and maybe just a day), the special relationship that has developed over the past 250 years seemed — on the surface, at least — special.