How Should Americans Act During King Charles’ Visit to Washington?

The topic of discussion for this Constitution Monday is a visit from the King and Queen of Great Britain. Two hundred and fifty years declared independence from Great Britain. Now Congress has invited King Charles III to address a joint meeting. Members of Congress were not aware of the visit or did not care that the Monarch was coming. Pedro Rodriguez shared the following information in his article published at The Daily Signal. 

The king’s visit will be the first time a British royal addresses Congress since his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, delivered an address to Congress in 1991.

In response to Punchbowl News scooping the king’s speech, Re. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., told The Daily Signal that he had “no idea” Charles was scheduled to visit until The Daily Signal asked. “I didn’t even know he’s coming. I don’t know what he could talk about.”

Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., told The Daily Signal he thought the visit was “interesting,” given how rarely British monarchs address Congress. The king “could talk about the relationship between England and America,” Van Drew said with an indifferent shrug. When asked by The Daily Signal whether the king should discuss other conflicts, like the wars in Iran and Ukraine, Van Drew said, “I think he should, I don’t know if he will or not, but I think he should.”

The sentiment is bipartisan. Ranking Member of the Committee on Veterans Affairs Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., told The Daily Signal that he “honestly doesn’t know” what the British monarch could possibly speak about during his joint address.

Another Republican member of the House told The Daily Signal they are not very invested in what the king will have to say.

“I’m just a commoner, I’m not royalty,” the Republican House member said. “That’s why I’m in the House and not the Senate.”

“I think there’s value and traditions and all those things, and I think that if we ignore those, it could be bad,” the member added.

Congress sent an official invitation on Wednesday for Charles to speak: “The United States Congress would be honored to host Your Majesty for this historic event, which will celebrate the shared heritage and enduring friendship between the United Kingdom and the United States.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson wrote on X: “it is my distinct honor and great privilege to invite His Majesty King Charles III, The King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Norther Ireland, to address a Joint Meeting of Congress.”

King Charles and Queen Camilla will visit Washington, April 27-30, and will attend a state dinner at the White House while in Washington.