King Charles’ jokes to congress: One-liners that had US representatives in stitches during Capitol Hill speech

King Charles has delivered an address to both houses on Capitol Hill telling the assembled politicians the partnership between the two nations is “more important today than it has ever been”. But while he made some pretty pointed comments during his speech, he first buttered his audience up with a few jokes.

There’s no denying The Kings’ speech was loaded with meaning but his way with words shone through, saying Britain and America drew on their common values to come together: “This, I believe, is the special ingredient in our relationship”.

During his speech in the Hall of the House, whose public and press galleries were packed, the King spoke of the importance of Nato, the value of European partners and the need to reduce world conflicts, stemming the “beating of ploughshares into swords”, all priorities for Sir Keir Starmer’s Government.

With the Queen sitting nearby the King said: “The Alliance that our two Nations have built over the centuries – and for which we are profoundly grateful to the American people – is truly unique.”

Addressing Mike Johnson, speaker of the House of Representatives, he went on to say: “That partnership, I believe Mr Speaker, is more important today than it has ever been.”

Charles is midway through a four-day state visit to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence and he spoke about bonds between former enemies, the US and Britain.

King Charles best jokes during speech to Congress

Oscar Wilde

“As Oscar Wilde said, ‘We have really everything in common with America nowadays except, of course, language’.”

Taking a hostage

“As you may know, when I address my own Parliament at Westminster, we still follow an age-old tradition and take a member of Parliament ‘hostage’, holding him or her at Buckingham Palace until I am safely returned.

“These days, we look after our ‘guest’ rather well – to the point that they often do not want to leave. I don’t know, Mr Speaker, if there were any volunteers for that role here today?”

Two Georges

“It is in fact my 20th visit to the United States, and my first as King and head of the Commonwealth.

“This is a city which symbolises a period in our shared history, or what Charles Dickens might have called ‘A Tale of Two Georges’: the first President, George Washington, and my five-times Great Grandfather, King George III.

“King George never set foot in America and, please rest assured, I am not here as part of some cunning rearguard action.”

“The Founding Fathers were bold and imaginative rebels with a cause. 250 years ago, or, as we say in the United Kingdom ‘just the other day’, they declared Independence.”