Everyone is making same King Charles observation after US Congress speech

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are presently undertaking a four-day state visit to the United States (27–30 April 2026), representing the first such visit by a British monarch since 2007. The journey has been scheduled to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence.

On Tuesday, 28 April, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump welcomed the royal couple with a formal state arrival ceremony on the South Lawn. This was accompanied by an elaborate state dinner in the East Room, showcasing a menu of Dover sole and spring-herbed ravioli.

In an historic occasion on Tuesday, King Charles delivered an address to a joint session of Congress. He underscored the “indispensable” alliance between the UK and US, urging “reconciliation and renewal” and reinforcing shared democratic principles.

Yet, alongside these weighty matters, observers also picked up on one particular aspect of the King – his wit.

A clip from Charles’ speech was posted on X, which featured the monarch making light of us Brits with a quip.

He was heard saying: “200 years ago, or as we say in the United Kingdom, ‘Just the other day’…,” prompting laughter from the audience as the King displayed a mischievous grin.

Accompanying the post, one X user wrote: “Today’s main takeaway is King Charles III is actually very funny.”

The clip swiftly gained traction, accumulating more than 466,000 views.

One person wrote: “Very well played Charles,” as the original poster replied: “Had the whole room laughing several times.”

Another quipped that the King had been “taking lessons from Rowan Atkinson,” while someone else added: “He enjoyed that.”

A further X user chimed in: “They definitely shouldn’t have kept this a secret,” as someone else argued: “There’s never been a time he’s not hilarious.”

Commenting on British humour, someone else wrote: “It’s almost compulsory if you’re British.”

King Charles’ speech before a joint session of Congress was widely praised for its sharp wit and quintessentially dry British humour, earning him numerous standing ovations and laughter from members on both sides of the aisle.

Beyond the moment captured in the clip, the monarch also drew comparisons between President George Washington and his own five-times great-grandfather, King George III. He prompted a wave of laughter by declaring: “Please rest assured I am not here as part of some cunning rear-guard action!”

The King also shed light on the Westminster tradition of holding a Member of Parliament “hostage” at Buckingham Palace whenever the monarch addresses the assembly, as a guarantee of their safe return. He then cheekily asked Speaker Mike Johnson if there were “any volunteers for that role here today?”

Citing Oscar Wilde, the King observed that the UK and US have “really everything in common… except, of course, language!”

The King carried his “charm offensive” into the evening during the state dinner at the White House, delivering several further jokes directed at President Trump. After the President suggested Europe would be “speaking German” without US help, the King poked back: “Dare I say it, if it wasn’t for us, you’d be speaking French”.

Referencing Trump’s construction of a new White House ballroom, the King apologised for the British “attempt at real estate redevelopment of the White House in 1814” (the Burning of Washington).

Today, Wednesday, 29 April 2026, King Charles and Queen Camilla head to New York City for a packed schedule of engagements following their time in Washington, D.C.

The day will begin with a poignant visit to the 9/11 Memorial at One World Trade Center, ahead of the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. During their visit, the Royal couple will also meet with first responders and the families of those who lost their lives on that fateful day.

Come the afternoon, the pair will go their separate ways to attend a series of individual engagements across the city. King Charles will head to Harlem to visit Harlem Grown, a grassroots nonprofit organisation that mentors young people through urban farming and sustainability initiatives.

Meanwhile, Queen Camilla will make her way to the New York Public Library to take part in a literary event alongside a number of authors.

The Royal couple will then reunite at around 5.15pm local time (10.15pm BST) to attend a UK-US cultural reception together.