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Smiles and Surprise/ How the US Reacted to King Charles

2026-04-30 08:49:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The United States of America declared independence from the British crown 250 years ago, but this week Americans have been talking a lot about Britain.

From the moment King Charles and Queen Camilla stepped onto the South Lawn of the White House, American networks set aside their standard diet of political warfare and breaking news for something rare: the splendor of the royal couple.

In a country that seems to agree on almost nothing, the British royal family achieved something almost unattainable, receiving warm receptions from both sides of a political spectrum where neutral ground is rare.

The visit came at a tense time in US-UK relations, with the White House and Downing Street at odds over the Iran war, straining a relationship that both governments insist remains unshakable.

The ratings following the King's appearances at the White House, in Congress, and in New York were high from all political sides.

King's comments to Congress and at a lavish White House banquet on Tuesday, mixing humor with history and a call for unity, were also widely praised.

Some saw them as a subtle rebuke to President Trump.

For months, Donald Trump, a devoted Anglophile and avid fan of the royal family, has repeatedly told reporters that he was excited about the King’s visit. That excitement was on full display throughout the King’s visit to Washington, in which the world saw a warmer version of a president who was not shy about expressing his feelings.

Surprisingly, Trump largely stuck to a script, not mentioning policy disagreements with Downing Street and praising the long-standing ties between the US and Britain.

"Before we declared our independence, Americans held within us the rare gifts of moral courage. And this came from a small but mighty kingdom across the sea," Trump said.

On Capitol Hill, where the King became only the second British monarch to deliver a speech to a joint session of Congress, Charles received a standing ovation from the audience.

Elizabeth Holmes, a Royal Family expert and author, told the BBC that many members of the American public are broadly interested in the family, although this interest has waned over the years.

The King and Queen traveled to New York City on Wednesday, where they made several stops, including one at the September 11 Memorial.

Smiles and Surprise/ How the US Reacted to King Charles

Jacob Knutton, who manages a British-themed restaurant and shop in New York, said businesses have been "a lot busier" with the King's visit.

But not every American is as enthusiastic.

While recent statistics are hard to come by, a YouGov poll conducted in 2024 found that only 42% of Americans had a favorable view of King Charles.

In comparison, his mother, Queen Elizabeth, received a 67% rating. More than three-quarters of respondents - 76% - had a positive view of the King's ex-wife, Princess Diana, who died in 1997.

According to Holmes, in the eyes of some Americans, Charles had a "much less persuasive" speech than his mother, who became Queen at a young age.

US feelings about King Charles are further complicated by his complex relationship with his son, Prince Harry, Holmes added.

Data from Google Trends suggests that searches in the US for the King during the visit increased by 20 to 25 times above normal and by 50 times during his speech to Congress.

Others who haven't followed the royal visit closely are still enthusiastic. Holmes believes the visit has already improved US perceptions of the King.

"Trump is such a polarizing figure and I think people were very keen to see their interactions. I think people are delighted to see British wit on display ," she added.

Near the White House on Tuesday, some of those who came out to watch the King's motorcade pass said they felt hopeful.

Knutton also hopes the visit will help, in part, for the sake of his business. His store imports almost all of its goods from the UK and is feeling the impact of Trump's tariffs.