# The reign of King Charles III of the United Kingdom **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 8, 2022, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232 "2022-09-08T18:05:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 104
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2026, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2064 "2026-04-10T19:59:58Z")
Kier Starmer said in an interview with ITV that he’s fed up because the energy bills of British families are swinging wildly “because of the actions of Putin or Trump across the world.” In other words, the “special relationship” is on its last legs. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2026, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2065 "2026-04-11T06:19:36Z")
The crucial element would be whether our intelligence and military agencies trust each other, irrespective of the vagaries of transient politicians. After all, it’s 70 years since a US President threatened deliberately to crash the UK government’s finances to stop a pointless war. The relationship survived that. Sort of. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2026, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2066 "2026-04-11T07:02:39Z")
That’s pretty opaque. Suez? ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2026, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2067 "2026-04-11T08:25:36Z")
Sorry, yes, Suez. You could say that what’s currently going on is the Hollywood big budget action remake of that particular1950s Ealing comedy. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2068 "2026-04-17T03:33:20Z")
[_The Hill_: King Charles, Queen Camilla unveil itinerary for upcoming US visit](https://thehill.com/policy/international/5832758-king-charles-queen-camilla-us-trip-itinerary/) ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2069 "2026-04-17T03:53:32Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > King Charles, Queen Camilla unveil itinerary for upcoming US visit I have to wonder why the hell Chuck is doing this. There has to be a political motivation, so I imagine pressure from Keir Starmer solely meant to placate the Orange Toddler in the face of deteriorating relations. This also gave me a smile: > After the address, Trump and first lady Melania Trump will host the royal couple at the White House for a state dinner. I imagine that both of this lovely tasteful couple will be meddling with the menu, so I hope that Chuck and Camilla like overdone cheeseburgers! Or maybe Trump will do the elegant thing he once did for a championship basketball team – invited them to the White House and served them cold Big Macs. 🤮 [![](https://media.newyorker.com/photos/5c3e10b2f92c694343cc71b9/16:9/w_1280,c_limit/Rosner-Fast-Food-Trump.jpg) ](https://media.newyorker.com/photos/5c3e10b2f92c694343cc71b9/16:9/w_1280,c_limit/Rosner-Fast-Food-Trump.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2070 "2026-04-17T04:14:54Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Monarchs are allowed to choose a “regnal” name, which may or may not be the name they were given at birth. Up until “recently”, the same was true for everyone else. (For “recently” defined as “I’m an old fart”. When I was born, when you were old enough to buy your own clothes, you were old enough to choose your own name. And many people did. Not just the Cook County residents my Mother treated in out-patients, who chose a new name every time they skipped out on the rent, but also my RC girlfriend, who went by her confirmation name, and of course all the nuns at her school. I didn’t need “Real ID” to open a bank account, get a tax refund, get medical care, get a job, go to school, or get a drivers licence. Here, we didn’t even have SSN, and applying for a government pension was on self-declaration. Passports were more difficult, and I see that my Dad’s security clearance referenced his SSN, passport number and military service, but that’s about it: anyone else could use any name they chose. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2071 "2026-04-17T04:21:37Z")
> [@Melbourne](#): > > Up until “recently”, the same was true for everyone else. (For “recently” defined as “I’m an old fart”. Currently, even. I know a guy who goes by his middle name. I also, when I first started with the company I’m with now, had a Korean-American coworker who had the unfortunate luck to have been born with the name “Kim Jong-Un”. He went by “Joe Kim” instead and I can’t say I blame him. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2072 "2026-04-17T06:29:11Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > There has to be a political motivation, Entirely a political motivation: State Visits aren’t organised on the personal whim of the head of state, or at short notice - there’s masses of prior calculation on both sides. Way back on Trump’s re-election, the exchange of visits would have been planned for, and both governments would have agreed then that this return visit would fit in with your 250th anniversary. That controversial events have happened since is another matter. ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2073 "2026-04-17T07:07:21Z")
> [@PatrickLondon](#): > > That controversial events have happened since is another matter. I imagine Charles is kept informed of what an idiot Trump is and will not be taken by surprise when Trump talks about how America kicked Great Britain’s ass 250 years ago. Because you know he is going to say something like that, in the most crude and insulting way possible, and then somehow try to take credit for it. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2074 "2026-04-17T08:02:00Z")
I expect the response would be a polite but ambiguous dismissive smile. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2075 "2026-04-17T11:06:50Z")
Nitpick, that fast food banquet was for a football team; the Clemson Tigers, who were the 2018 College Football Playoff national champions. What still has me shaking my head is that he’s standing there _proud_ of that spread, not embarrassed that this is what he’s offering them. (And fast food burgers do not taste good after they’re allowed to get cold and congeal.) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2076 "2026-04-17T11:50:01Z")
> [@aurora\_maire](#): > > I imagine Charles is kept informed of what an idiot Trump is and will not be taken by surprise when Trump talks about how America kicked Great Britain’s ass 250 years ago. Because you know he is going to say something like that, in the most crude and insulting way possible, and then somehow try to take credit for it. Oh, undoubtedly. But HM has met Trump before and can be in no doubt as to what an idjit he is. As it happens, President Ford hosted Queen Elizabeth II at the White House in 1976 for a royal visit tied to the Bicentennial. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2077 "2026-04-17T12:07:34Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I have to wonder why the hell Chuck is doing this. He pretty much has no choice. The monarch does whatever the government decides. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2078 "2026-04-17T12:10:03Z")
Does the fact that he’s able to make this trip indicate that he’s recovering from his health issues? I think he’s not been seen in public much over the past few months (or perhaps over a year?). ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2079 "2026-04-17T12:32:01Z")
I recall a video clip I saw from Trump’s first go around. He and Charles were talking about climate change, and Trump was going on and on about the US’s beautiful weather and clean air. Charles was visibly stunned. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2080 "2026-04-17T12:34:27Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I think he’s not been seen in public much over the past few months (or perhaps over a year?). Not sure where you’ve heard that. He’s been doing his usual public engagements for months. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2081 "2026-04-17T12:35:43Z")
I’ve not been paying attention, though if you’re in the UK you may hear more reporting of his comings and goings than I do here in America. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2082 "2026-04-17T12:41:16Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > > [@wolfpup](#): > > > > I have to wonder why the hell Chuck is doing this. > > He pretty much has no choice. The monarch does whatever the government decides. Okay then, why does the “government” want him to do this? WHO specifically thinks this visit will benefit the UK and how? Specifically. And how would canceling the visit harm the UK? The picture of Charles acting normal and showing respect to trump, a would-be king, convicted criminal, and insult to the presidency makes me 🤢 🤮 ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2083 "2026-04-17T12:54:35Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > a would-be king Well, Charles is not a would-be king because one of his ancestors was, the fact that his family’s crimes have been legitimized by a almost thousand years of tradition doesn’t give him much moral high ground there. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232.md?page=103) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232.md?page=105)