King Charles for president
· UPIApril 29 (UPI) -- His Majesty King Charles III was more than masterful addressing both chambers of Congress.
His relatively brief remarks reflected deep understanding of the history of our two countries, elegance in phrase and presentation, humor to make certain points and reasons why the "special relationship" was indispensable.
Add to this his deft, but civil, critiques of certain critical issues from the "disturbances" that took place "near this chamber," meaning the Jan. 6 riots, the need to protect the most irreplaceable asset that is nature, and the crucial importance of the primacy of the U.S.-European and specifically the U.S.-U.K. relationship.
Perhaps not since John F. Kennedy has that chamber heard such inspiring oratory and a clarion call to action. One wonders if or what President Donald Trump's reactions were to the speech.
He could not have welcomed the King's references to Jan. 6, the urgency of climate and environmental issues, and the insistence that the bond between the two countries must remain irreplaceable and unbreakable.
Like his father, grandfathers and uncle, who all served in the Royal Navy, Charles comes from a family with a long military tradition -- unlike Trump, whose bone‑spur diagnosis allowed him to avoid service in the Vietnam War.
Given that the media will tout the speech and note all the details, this column need not be redundant, but with one exception. If Charles' mission was to gain the respect and appreciation of the U.S. public for the U.K., he more than fulfilled it. It was also refreshing to see members of both parties rising together to applaud the speaker on so many occasions.
It is also interesting to compare the similarities and differences between the two heads of state. Both are roughly the same age. Charles is 77 and Trump two years older. Both are always accompanied by their wives, who play large roles in their lives. Both come from wealthy parents, but there's a difference.
Trump may be a billionaire, but the properties and antiquities belonging to the Royals are priceless. Trump lives in the White House and Mar-a-Lago. The king divides his time between Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, with Balmoral in Scotland as another retreat.
Trump is loud; disruptive and polarizing, as well as quick to blame others for his faults and attack as his first line of defense. Charles is reserved, proper, articulate and better suited to listening than expressing his views.
The king also has a legacy to preserve going back centuries, during which the crown has been essential to British culture, tradition and politics. Trump does not concern himself with presidential legacies of the office, but in expanding his own ego and reputation, frequently naming iconic buildings after himself.
Of course, Trump is head of government and commander-in-chief of the U.S. military. The king can only exercise authority and leadership through suasion and personality.
In his speech, Charles did refer to three defense-related issues. The first was the need to aid and support Ukraine. The second was to note Prime Minister Keir Starmer's commitment to the largest increase in defense spending since the Cold War. And third, the king mentioned AUKUS -- the Australian, U.K. and U.S. agreement to build nuclear submarines for Australia.
Trump became famous for his TV programs The Apprentice and The Celebrity Apprentice and the line "you're fired." Trump has indeed fired members of his Cabinet. However, Charles had a more difficult and personal decision -- What would he do about his brother, Prince Andrew?
Andrew was known as "Randy Andy," not a nice term, for his pursuit of women. Then, he became involved with Jeffrey Epstein. The King had no choice. As Michael Corleone cut younger brother Fredo loose in The Godfather and then had him killed, Charles disowned Andrew, stripping him of all titles and royal rank -- an unprecedented act in modern times.
How long will the Charles factor last regarding the United States and its attitudes toward the United Kingdom and the issues the king raised? Will this become partisan, with Democrats overreacting to Charles' embrace of environmental issues and the tacit rejection of America First?
Following his reference to his Christian values and despite the king's call for embracing all faiths, will Republicans use Charles to advance their religious views?
Tragically, in America, no good deed goes unpunished. Let us hope the king's speech avoids that fate. "Brilliant" is not too strong a word. Bravo to the king - and for a moment, at least, one could almost imagine him being president.
Harlan Ullman is UPI's Arnaud de Borchgrave Distinguished Columnist, senior adviser at Washington's Atlantic Council, chairman of a private company and principal author of the doctrine of shock and awe. His next book, co-written with Field Marshal The Lord David Richards, former U.K. chief of defense and due out later this year, is Who Thinks Best Wins: How Decisive Strategic Thinking Will Prevent Global Chaos. The writer can be reached on X @harlankullman.