King Charles used ‘SNL’ style scribes for a witty convention speech
King Charles brought laughter and repeated standing ovations during his speech to the US Congress – but insiders told it RadarOnline.com his sharp wit was carefully honed with the help of a behind-the-scenes team that resembles a Saturday evening live-esque writers’ room.
The British monarch, 77, delivered his historic 2,624-word speech during his state visit to Washington, DC, becoming only the second sovereign to address Congress after his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
Speaking at a time of enormous tension in US-Britain relations – especially over the Iran conflict and tensions between Donald Trump, 79, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer – Charles balanced diplomacy with humour, earning 12 standing ovations with his witty, diplomatic and “light” speech.
The king’s remarks were followed by a state dinner at the White House, attended by political figures and dignitaries, where he continued his charm offensive with a series of jokes about history, culture and transatlantic ties.
He said: ‘As you may know, when I address my own Parliament at Westminster, we still follow a centuries-old tradition and take an MP ‘hostage’ – holding him or her in Buckingham Palace until I return safely.
‘Nowadays we look after our ‘guests’ quite well – to the point that they often don’t want to leave! I do not know, Mr Chairman, whether there were any volunteers here today for that role?
“King George never set foot in America and rest assured, I am not here as part of some devious rearguard action!”
“The Founding Fathers were bold and resourceful rebels with a cause – 250 years ago, or as we say recently in Britain, they declared independence.”
Sources familiar with the preparations for the speech said that far from spontaneous, the king’s humor was shaped by a collaborative writing process designed to reach an American audience.
A palace aide told us: ‘There was a conscious effort to sharpen the tone of Charles’ words – and to ensure that the jokes spread across cultures.
“It was less about improvisation and more about precise writing, similar to how late-night shows edit their material.”
Another said: ‘The king has a natural sense of humor but this was refined. Lines were tested, adjusted and structured to ensure they resonated in a highly structured environment without being offensive.
“It gave the impression of effortless charm, but behind the scenes it was very carefully curated – every beat was intentional.”
Charles’ words at the state dinner included a nod to tensions between Britain and the United States.
He said, “You said the other day, Mr. President, that if it weren’t for the United States, the countries of Europe would be speaking German. I dare say that if it weren’t for us, you would be speaking French.”
Trump responded warmly to the king’s appearance, praising his speech and engaging in light-hearted conversations during the visit.
He said: “He gave a great speech, I was very jealous.”
The king also used humor to reference Trump’s controversial plans for a new White House ballroom, referencing the British burning of the iconic property in 1814.
He said: ‘It is a great pleasure to be back in this beautiful building, the heart of your democracy. On this occasion, I cannot help but note the ‘adjustments’ to the East Wing, Mr President, following your visit to Windsor Castle last year. I am sorry to say that we British, of course, made our own attempt at redeveloping the White House in 1814.”
