Charles III's visit to the United States was an historic event: it was only the sixth state visit by a British monarch to the US since 1939. Queen Elizabeth II made a total of four state visits to the US. Before her, King George VI, had also visited the US. King Charles III, went to Washington not only as the British monarch, but also as a representative of the entire Old Continent and its democratic values, albeit formulated by the original authors of Magna Carta.
King Charles touched upon most present contentious subjects with diplomatic and irresistible 'soft power' which may well have altered Trump's attitudes although he would not admit this, even for the 'greatest king'. He mentioned NATO's Article 5 and reminded Trump and many forgetful others, that it was Europe and NATO that helped America after 9/11.
During his speech at the State Dinner at the White House in Washington, King Charles presented the American President with a bell from the tower of the HMS Trump, a Royal Navy submarine first launched in 1944 that served in the Battle of the Pacific during WW2. This British submarine was stationed in Australia for more than 20 years during the Royal Navy's constant presence there.
A clue to Donald Trump's character may lie in the unofficial crest of HMS Trump which hung on the Commander’s door. It has the motto ‘I Take All’ beneath spread playing cards (three kings and a deuce). Hm ...
HMS TRUMP, flying the Jolly Roger to commemorate its war service, leaving Sydney for the last time in January 1969 and her unofficial crest
Charles served in the Royal Navy from 1971 to 1976, qualifying as a helicopter pilot and commanding the coastal minesweeper HMS Bronington. Following training at BRNC Dartmouth, he served on the guided-missile destroyer HMS Norfolk and underwent Royal Marines training, rising to the rank of Lieutenant before retiring.
The Royal Navy was in the blood of Charles's father, the Duke of Edinburgh, from his earliest days. The Duke saw service in the Mediterranean and Pacific during World War 2, to post-war command and honorary roles with the Fleet and Royal Marines up to his retirement from public duties. For more on this distinguished career which clearly influenced his family and son deeply.
This piece of intelligence brought back a flurry of adolescent memories for me. This epitome of classic English motor cars is rather unconnected with the Royal Navy as such! However, the Duke shared and King Charles does have a passion for English classic motoring.
Charles presented Trump with the glowing brass as gold relic of his Royal Navy namesake as he delivered a toast in which he said he hoped it would “stand as a testimony to our nation's shared history and shining future.”
Charles has a wonderful absurdist sense of humour and for that reason still adores the Goon Show and Monty Python
“And should you ever need to get hold of us, just give us a ring”
(so amusing in view of Trump's remarkable accessibility on his mobile phone)
Also the gently demolishing quip "If it wasn't for us you would all be speaking French!"
If you care to read this account of my ownership of one of these peerless Bristol 400 motor cars you will come across a slightly embarrassing mention of the submarine HMS Trump and what it meant to me all those years ago !
BRISTOL
BEACH – Recollections of a Brief Affair with Chassis 319
Bristol 400
Chassis 319 circa 1966
https://app.box.com/file/29351390345?s=p07vebizqwvs79etcqnyc1exhv086ydo
The Duke of Edinburgh exiting the gates of Buckingham Palace in his MG TC
The Duke courted the late Queen Elizabeth in an MG TC and enjoyed frightening her a little by driving fast!
