America Has Come a Long Way With King Charles III

Amid the turmoil happening in the world, King Charles III’s visit is a happy, positive time for America.The king is much more pro-American, sensible, and reliable than Prime Minister Keir Starmer. So, we can feel good about having the right visitor from London.Charles has been a positive and steady person for his entire life. My wife Callista and I had the privilege of chatting with him at the Vatican when he came for the canonization of John Henry Cardinal Newman, the most powerful and influential British Roman Catholic in modern times. Charles was a delightful conversationalist and seemed sincerely interested in everyone with whom he spoke. He clearly utilized his service as prince to learn widely.President Trump seems to have a sincere and deep reverence for the Royal Family. It may go back to his mother’s Scottish childhood before she came to America at 18 in 1930. Queen Elizabeth II and now King Charles seem to have reciprocated the president’s affection.President Trump and Prince Charles, now King Charles III, toast at London, June 4, 2019. Chris Jackson/pool via APWith the current monarch’s visit, I couldn’t help but think how far we have come since King George III took us to task for rebelling against his rule. As we approach the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, it is fascinating to watch the positive friendship with the current king of England and compare it to the attitude of his long-ago predecessor.On August 23, 1775, George III issued a proclamation asserting Americans were being “misled by dangerous and ill designing men.” It is useful to remember that George Washington and Benjamin Franklin were two of these troublemakers. George III went on to say that the Founders were “forgetting the allegiance which they owe to the power that has protected and supported them” and “traitorously preparing, ordering and levying war against us.”Of course, as seen by that earlier king, those rising in America were traitors to the monarchy. He was determined to crush the rebellion, not negotiate with it. His proclamation called on all British officers — and those colonists loyal to the crown to “exert their utmost endeavours to suppress such rebellion, and to bring the traitors to justice.”Detail of Allan Ramsay’s portrait of King George III in his coronation robes, circa 1762. Via Wikimedia CommonsHappily, these historic difficulties have long ceased to affect British-American relations. We fought on the same side against Germany in both world wars and against Imperial Japan in World War II. We worked side by side for more than four decades to contain and then defeat the Soviet Union. We are still bound by deep affection, and many Americans maintain a lively interest in the Royal Family.With today’s troubles in Ukraine, Iran, and elsewhere, the positive historic relationship between America and Britain is an important thing to nurture and maintain. With all the tension and stress of the last few months, this is a great time to have the spectacle of a royal visit. Given the smiles on their faces, both the president and first lady seem to be relaxing and enjoying the opportunity to be with Charles and Camilla. Let us wish them a few days of fellowship, happiness, and renewed alliance.

America Has Come a Long Way With King Charles III

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