{"id":218114,"date":"2026-05-03T07:19:36","date_gmt":"2026-05-03T07:19:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/218114\/"},"modified":"2026-05-03T07:19:36","modified_gmt":"2026-05-03T07:19:36","slug":"was-the-king-and-queens-us-tour-a-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/218114\/","title":{"rendered":"Was the King and Queen\u2019s US tour a success?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>The King and Queen with President Trump and First Lady Melania. Pic: Royal.uk<\/p>\n

There was some unease over whether the King and Queen should fly to the USA, in the middle of such world unrest and this feeling intensified, following the White House shooting last weekend.<\/p>\n

But royal and political commentators were all taken by surprise at how much of a diplomatic coup the US tour turned out, thanks to the smooth-talking of the King and his dignified speeches. He was a master of diplomacy throughout and managed to do the unthinkable \u2013 unite both sides of the US political scene, plus the US and UK.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen the King touched down in Washington on Monday to start his eagerly-anticipated state visit, I was sceptical he would succeed,\u201d wrote Connor Stringer, The Telegraph\u2019s<\/a> Washington correspondent, noting UK-US relations had become so bad, \u201cwhat lay ahead was a mammoth task and \u2026 success looked slim.\u201d But Charles went on to receive standing ovations and everywhere he went, was greeted like a celebrity. \u201cCongressmen and women swooned in desperation for a handshake. All the while, Trump watched from the TV in awe of the spectacle. He had been bowled over by the art of soft diplomacy,\u201d he wrote. \u201cAs much as it pains me to admit it, I was wrong.\u201d <\/p>\n

We all were.<\/p>\n

Charles\u2019 talk in Congress went viral. He managed to unite Democrats and Republicans, with his warm, witty, statesmanlike speech, which got 12 standing ovations. Even President Trump marvelled how he got the Democrats to stand up. \u201cI couldn\u2019t believe it. I was never able to do that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"The King and Queen and the King giving his speech in Congress, at the White House and Washington. Pics: Royal Family Insta<\/p>\n

He got the same reception at the White House dinner, when he rolled out jokes, including a reply to Trump previously saying Europe would be speaking German had it not been for the US. \u201cDare I say that, if it wasn\u2019t for us, you\u2019d be speaking French,\u201d Charles quipped, with an endearing grin, to a ripple of laughter. When he presented the president with a bell from WWII submarine HMS Trump and said, \u201cIf you ever need us, give us a ring,\u201d the house erupted.<\/p>\n

In four days<\/a>, Charles and Camilla managed to achieve more diplomacy than our politicians have in the past four years. \u201cThe greatest King, in my book,\u201d the President said, adding, \u201cWe need more people like that in our country.\u201d They were there to mark the USA\u2019s 250th anniversary of independence, but ironically, ended up uniting the countries more than ever before. It was the perfect example of how the Royal Family can transcend politics and improve diplomacy, showing what a vital role they play in international relations, especially at a time like this.<\/p>\n

\u201cFarewell and thank you for the warmth of your welcome and the kind support you gave us throughout our first visit to the US as King and Queen, in this, your special anniversary year. We leave a piece of our heart behind and take a little of yours back home with us. Until the next time\u2026 God Bless America,\u201d wrote the royal couple on Instagram. Job well done. <\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart,\u201d said Winnie-The Pooh author, A. A. Milne. And we know the Queen couldn\u2019t agree more as she took extra-special care of baby Roo before reuniting him with his friends<\/a> who now live in the New York Public Library, marking the 100th anniversary of The Hundred Acre Wood\u2019s characters. Check out the video<\/a> of Roo\u2019s VIP trip from Buckingham Palace to New York – it really is the sweetest thing! <\/p>\n

The Library is home to the original collection of toys owned by Christopher Robin Milne, son of A.A. Milne, which inspired the Winnie-the-Pooh series. The collection was missing Roo, as the original baby kangaroo was lost in an orchard in the 1930s. The new Roo was created by Merrythought, the British company who also created the original toys.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Roo\u2019s back for good with his mates. Pic: National Portrait Gallery <\/p>\n

Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, Kanga, Eeyore and now Roo, are on display as part of New York Public Library\u2019s<\/a> permanent Treasures collection. Roo was given a full ceremonial welcome, carried in on a cushion emblazoned with the Union flag.<\/p>\n

On hand to cheer was the Camilla\u2019s bessie mate, Gyles Brandreth, who is writing a biography of the Milne family, and has campaigned to have the collection returned to the UK, if only temporarily. The Queen was also joined at a library reception by Vogue\u2019s Anna Wintour, author Amor Towles and actress Sarah Jessica Parker.<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"The princess and her pooch celebrate their birthdays. Pics: Prince and Princess of Wales Insta <\/p>\n

It was party time in the Wales\u2019s household, with Charlotte turning 11 on Saturday and cocker spaniel Otto having his first birthday the day before. We were officially introduced to Otto via this snap<\/a> taken by Catherine, and shared on their social media accounts. The beautiful dog is the son of Orla, their other beloved cocker who was a gift from James Middleton in 2020. <\/p>\n

As for another royal beauty with fabulous hair and a birthday, Charlotte stars in a short video <\/a>marking her big day; playing cricket, sitting with Orla and Otto on a boat and writing messages on a beach. Her parents also released the picture above, captioned: \u2018Wishing Charlotte a very happy 11th birthday!\u2019 Both photo and video were taken by Matt Porteous during the family\u2019s Easter break in Cornwall. On Wednesday, we were also treated to a glorious family pic released to celebrate William and Catherine\u2019s 15th wedding anniversary, see it here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Can we have these two back please! Pic: Netflix <\/p>\n

Despite the fact the last two seasons of The Crown<\/a> descended into trashy telenovela territory – Diana\u2019s ghost, pleeeease! – we can’t help but feel really excited about reports that Netflix are in talks to bring it back. Apparently, there\u2019s going to be a prequel series, beginning with Queen Victoria\u2019s death in 1901 on the Isle of Wight to the 1947 wedding of the then Princess Elizabeth at Westminster Abbey. <\/p>\n

\u201cI cannot imagine any circumstances in which I\u2019d want to go farther into the present, as it were, but at the same time, I don\u2019t think I\u2019m done with the subject,\u201d Peter Morgan, the show\u2019s creator said in 2024. Well, we hope the rumours are true<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Joseph Holman receives his award from Susan Lousada, in a skip. Pic: Green Doors <\/p>\n

Well, that\u2019s a first \u2013 one founder received their King\u2019s Award in a very unique way. Joseph Holman, owner of upcycling door company Green Doors, was presented with the King\u2019s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development, by the Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Susan Lousada on Friday \u2013 in a skip. That\u2019s where he first found old doors, which gave him the idea for his business. \u201cI started 11 years ago with a set of doors I found in a skip,\u201d said Holman, who previously met the King in Windsor. \u201cNow, I\u2019ve received an award from the King. Being in a skip to receive this felt like the most honest way to tell that story.\u201d As long as he doesn\u2019t bin the award, it\u2019s all good. greendoors.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n

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