With sharp speech, King Charles just showed the point behind the pomp

[canetoad]

London: The British have agonised for months about the time and money being lavished on Donald Trump for his second state visit to their country, wondering why they are treating the United States president with such honour.

King Charles just showed them that pomp has a point. And it can be a very sharp one, while being delivered so smoothly that nobody feels any pain.

There was immense goodwill during the state visit at Windsor Castle on Wednesday ahead of the state banquet honouring Trump, and Charles seemed to be enjoying himself.

“Watch the sword!” the King joked with Trump after they reviewed the guard of honour and faced the guard captain, who raised the weapon to signal the end of the inspection. Trump came face to face with military discipline, tradition and duty.

In 50 words, Charles sent a message to Trump about helping Ukraine, preventing threats to Europe, cementing the AUKUS pact and working with Australia. It seemed to be precisely the message British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer wanted Trump to hear.

https://www.theage.com.au/world/europe/with-sharp-speech-king-charles-just-showed-the-point-behind-the-pomp-20250918-p5mw0i.html

https://archive.md/2YDk5

[msongs]

1. one suspects trump didnt get...the point lol nt

[Lovie777]

2. shithole do not care....

he thinks he was the first American president ever to visit.

[diane in sf]

3. That might be too subtle for Mango Mussolini.

[tanyev]

6. Yep. Unless every other word is "Trump", he's not listening.

[lame54]

4. Too poetic for that neanderthal

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. Yeah, messages delivered to Trump go in one ear, and out the other, especially after someone else talks to him

It's a mistake to think he is someone who collects evidence or suggestions from others and weighs them. He does what he feels like, at the time, and holds on to some of his feelings (eg "tariffs are great!" ) for decades.

Some of his lackeys can accept messages - but they won't take that from a king's speech at a banquet. That just has to be "it's better if you do X, because that will really benefit you in the long run...", from certain people they don't immediately dismiss. If this Potemkin visit achieves anything, it'll be to get the US officials to see the British officials are rather like them - desperate to cater to the whims of the Rapist, because they can't resist - and thus "trustworthy" in Republican eyes and thus possibly worth listening to. It's like collaborating on the Emperor's New Clothes.

[David__77]

7. Sounds like begging to me.

[dalton99a]

8. Meaningless words to the tyrant.

[tavernier]

9. Yes, exactly what I was thinking

as I read Charles speech. He poured on the flattery and the honey, interspersed with the idea that Europe and America are all connected like family to protect each other (mentioning Ukraine)… etc, etc.
Then, when Charles and Camilla retire to their bedroom, she can pat him on the back for his diplomacy and both have a good laugh at rump’s expense. I could almost bet that is exactly what happened.