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Calorougus Shark Media. Hello and welcome to Palace Injury. I'm
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your host, Mark Francis. King Charles is receiving nothing but
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praise after his visit to Washington. A BBC analysis of
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the King's address to Congress suggests the speech was as
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much a diplomatic intervention as it was a ceremonial milestone.
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Writing for the BBC North America correspondent, Anthony Zurcher describes
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the visit as a rescue mission aimed at easing tensions
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between London and Washington at a time of disagreement over
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the conflict in Iran. In his speech, the King leaned
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into that context from the outset, acknowledging what he calls
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times of great uncertainty and referencing conflicts from Europe to
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the Middle East which pose immense challenges. Zurcher notes that
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the King also openly recognized differences between the two nations,
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telling larmakers, with the spirit of seventeen seventy six, in
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our move we can perhaps agree, that we do not
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always agree, before arguing that cooperation remains essential, adding that
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together the two countries can achieve great things, not just
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for the benefit of our peoples, but of all peoples.
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One of the more politically sensitive moments came when the
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King referenced constitutional principles highlighting executive power being subject to
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checks and balances, a line that drew strong applause, particularly
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from Democrats. Zurcher writes that this was interpreted by some
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in the chamber as a subtle message about the importance
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of limits on presidential authority, especially given ongoing criticism of
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Donald Trump from political opponents. The King also placed heavy
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emphasis on the Transatlantic Alliance, particularly NATO, reminding the audience
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of shared security commitments. He said, from the depths of
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the Atlantic to the disastrously melting ice caps of the Arctic,
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the commitment and expertise of the United States Armed Forces
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and its allies lie at the heart of NATO, Pledged
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to each other's defense, protecting our citizens and interests, keeping
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North Americans and Europeans safe from our common adversaries. On
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domestic controversies, including calls for the King to address victims
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connected to the Jeoffrey Epstein case, Zurcher notes the speech
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stopped short. The closest reference was a broader line calling
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for support for victims of some of the ills that
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so tragically exist in both our societies today. Despite the
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serious tone, the King used humour to connect with his audience.
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He joked about the age of the United States, saying
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it marked two hundred and fifty years, or as we
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say in the UK, just the other day, and dismissed
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any suggestion of imperial nostalgia, remarking he was not in
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Washington as a cunning rearguard action to re establish British rule.
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Also for the BBC Chief Political correspondent Henry Zeffman writes,
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there is definite relief and happiness in government that the
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King's state visit has gone so well. That would of
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course be the case at any time, but especially so
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given transatlantic relations have been so strained of late. However,
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among figures in government there is also realism just because
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Donald Trump has spoken so affectionately of Britain in the
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presence of the King, it does not mean his frustration
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with Soir Kiah Starmer and the British government It's likely
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to abate. After all, Trump's state visit last year to
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the UK went off without a hitch, including the press
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conference alongside Starmer at Chequers, where the President was on
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his best behavior. Nevertheless, within a few months the differences
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on foreign policy between both leaders began to show more
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and more prominently. Of course, for all that Starmer would
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no doubt prefer not to be derided on social media
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by the US President, periodically he has sought to turn
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their dispute to his advantage politically, arguing that it shows
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he will stand up for the national interest in a
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way his opponents would not. Don't expect the PM to
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cease making that argument anytime soon. Whatever the lingering warmth
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from this royal tour. In The Guardian, David Smith called
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it a master class. Smith writes, a flick of Oscar
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Wilde here, not to Henry Kissinger. There sprinkling of Darles Dickens.
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Here a dollop of Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. There,
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job done. The British monarch mobilized an elite squad of
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dead white men, leavened with humor and subliminal politicking. On
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Tuesday in the charm offensive aimed over Donald Trump's head
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and squarely at the US Congress. Judging by the cheers
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and minute long applause he received at the end, the
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soft power flex worked a treat and the special relationship
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lives to fight another day. But the King's central message
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of two great nations entwined in destiny was also an
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inadvertent reminder of two empires that look increasingly shabby these days,
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with right wing populists on the march and the ghost
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of the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein hovering in the shadows.
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What would America's founding fathers have made of seeing George
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the Third's direct descendants speak to their successors, Donald Trump
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mused at the White House on Tuesday. They might be
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absolutely shocked, but probably only for a moment. Surely they
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would be delighted that the wounds of war healed into
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the most cherished friendship, while Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and co.
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Would surely be more shocked to discover that they now
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have their own mad king in the White House. If
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Charles spots signs saying no kings on his travels, he
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shouldn't take it personally. And when the King characterized Congress
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as not by the will of one, but by the
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deliberation of many, there was a shout of all right
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from the Democratic side of the House. Charles continued to
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make some discreet political jabs. He said he had served
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with immense pride in the Royal Navy, the same one
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that Trump had been disparaging lately. Mission accomplished, he departed
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the chamber with handshakes and smiles. Uneasy lies the head
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that wears a crown, But thanks to some canny speech
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writing and a book of quotations, the King had hopefully
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made his point without triggering a fiery tirade from the
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mad monarch. On truth Social, Donald Trump has reacted with
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enthusiasm to a report suggesting he may be distantly related
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to the King. The claim traces both men's lineage back
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to a shared ancestor, the third Earl of Lennox John Stewart,
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a grandson of James the Second of Scotland, making the
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pair very distant cousins. Posting on truth Social, the President wrote, well,
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that's nice. I've always wanted to live in buckingh and Pallas.
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I'll talk to the King and Queen about this in
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a few minutes. The suggestion quickly became a topic of
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late night commentary. Comedian Jimmy Kimmel referenced the idea during
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his monologue, saying, you know this idea that Trump might
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be the King's distant cousin, is exactly the plot of
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King Ralph, a nineteen ninety one film in which an
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ordinary American unexpectedly becomes heir to the British throne. More palating,
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just a moment. In other news, the Prince and Princess
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of Wales have marked fifteen years of marriage with the
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release of a new family portrait. William and Kate shared
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the image on social media, showing the couple relaxed alongside
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their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
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The photograph, believed to have been taken during a recent
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family holiday in Cornwall, captures a candid moment with the
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family sitting together on the grass and bright sunshine. In
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accompanying images from the trip, their youngest son, Prince Louis,
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was seen playing in the sand, enjoying a game of
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cricket and running along the beach. Posting the portrait, the
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couple wrote simply celebrating fifteen years of marriage. The anniversary
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portrait follows a similar tradition from last year, when the
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couple released a more intimate image taken during a visit
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to the Isle of Mull, where they are known by
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their Scottish titles. That photograph showed the Prince and Princess
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embracing at Duskin, Toba Maury, offering a quiet and more
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personal glimpse into their relationship. Prior to the anniversary, Prince
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William visited Array, a valley on the island of Anglesey
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where he served as a search and rescue pilot between
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twenty ten and twenty thirteen. The posting coincided with a
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defining period in his personal life, including his engagement and
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marriage in twenty eleven, as well as the birth of
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the couple's first child, Prince George, in twenty thirteen. Anglessy
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also holds particular meaning for the couple as the place
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where they made their first home together, living in a
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rented farmhouse during the early years of their marriage. Reflecting
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on that time, Willim previously said the experience gave them
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a lasting connection to Wales, noting that when you make
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a home in Wales, you join a family of three
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million people in the sense of warmth and belongings what
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make Wales unlike anywhere else. During the visit, William attended
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events marking the eighty fifth anniversary of Arief Valley, where
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he serves as honorary Air Commodore. He observed a parade
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presented the Prince of Wales award to a leading flying
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instructor and met service personnel, including members of two two Squadron.
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Should you find yourself running into King Charles, the official
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royal site has some tips. There is no strict requirement
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when meeting a member of the royal family, but traditional
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forms of etiquette are often observed. For King Charles the
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Third and Queen of Miller, men may offer a slight
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bow of the head, while women may choose a small curtsey.
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Many people, however, simply up for a standard handshake. When
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speaking to the King, the formal address is your Majesty
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on first introduction, followed by sir. Thereafter For the Queen,
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the same initial form applies Your Majesty, with man used
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in subsequent conversation pronounced with a short as and jam.
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The same structure applies when addressing other senior royals. Male
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members of first address as your Royal Highness and sir,
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while female members are addresses Your Royal Highness followed by
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man and don't ask for a selfie. That's a poor taste,
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and there you have it. If you like to email
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us addresses the Palace Intrigue at gmail dot com. Please
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follow us on Spotify, Apple for notifications on all these
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bonus shows. I'm Mark Francis my thanks to John McDermott.
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This is Palace Intrigue in good terms.