Washington, DC, April 29 (ANI) — King Charles III gently ribbed President Donald Trump at a White House state dinner Tuesday, quipping that without British intervention in North America, Americans “would be speaking French.”
The comment came as both leaders celebrated the strength of the UK–US “special relationship.” It served as a playful retort to Mr. Trump’s earlier remark at the World Economic Forum that without the United States, Europeans would be “speaking German and a little Japanese.”
“You recently commented, Mr President, that if it were not for the United States, European countries would be speaking German. Dare I say that if it wasn’t for us, you’d be speaking French,” the King said, drawing laughter from guests.
Keeping the tone light, Charles also made self-deprecating historical references, recalling Britain’s 1814 Burning of Washington: “We British, of course, made our own attempt at real estate redevelopment of the White House.” He joked the evening was “a very considerable improvement on the Boston Tea Party,” alluding to the 1773 protest against British taxation.
Mr. Trump, who has often expressed admiration for the monarchy, responded in kind and praised the King’s recent address to Congress, saying, “He got the Democrats to stand — I’ve never been able to do that.”
Marking the 250th anniversary of American independence, Charles thanked the United States for the evolved relationship and described the two countries’ alliance as “one of the most consequential alliances in human history.” In his congressional speech earlier, he emphasized the deep cultural and historical foundations of the transatlantic bond and cautioned against turning inward.
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