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French president Emmanuel Macron has jokingly suggested it would be “chic” if Americans were speaking French following a quip from King Charles at the state dinner.
The British monarch joked on Tuesday evening that if it were not for the UK, the US would be speaking French.
“You recently commented, Mr President, that if it were not for the United States, European countries would be speaking German,” he said. “Dare I say that if it wasn’t for us, you’d be speaking French?”
In a response on X, President Macron said: “That would be chic!”
King Charles and Queen Camilla will cap their historic US tour with a final stop in Virginia on Thursday after a packed day in New York City.
On their final day, the royals are set to attend a party marking the 250th anniversary of American independence, meet members of indigenous communities and discuss climate change projects, according to US media.
The King will then travel to Bermuda, making his first visit as monarch to a British overseas territory.
On Wednesday, Charles and Camilla visited the 9/11 memorial in New York City, where they laid a bouquet of white flowers at the memorial pool.
How will the King conclude his historic state visit to the US?
King Charles will end his four-day visit to the US with a formal farewell from the president and first lady.
He will then lay a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River in Virginia, where tens of thousands of the country’s war dead are buried, as well as two presidents and some former Supreme Court justices.
The King is then set to fly to Bermuda on Thursday evening, while the Queen heads back to Britain.
Harriette Boucher30 April 2026 13:20
Camilla not going to Bermuda, palace confirms
Queen Camilla will head back to Britain at the end of the four-day visit to the US, while King Charles makes his first visit as monarch to Bermuda.
The Buckingham Palace confirmed today that Camilla would not be joining the King.
The King’s trip will mark the King’s first visit as monarch to a UK Overseas Territory.
Andrew Murdoch, the UK-appointed Governor of Bermuda, described it as “an opportunity to celebrate” Bermudians and “strengthen the UK’s modern partnership with Bermuda”.
Harriette Boucher30 April 2026 13:04
Charles and Camilla’s state visit in pictures
(AFP/Getty)
(Reuters)
(PA)
(Getty)
Harriette Boucher30 April 2026 12:48
NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani says he would ask King Charles to return Kohinoor diamond to IndiaNYC mayor Zohran Mamdani says he would ask King Charles to return Kohinoor diamond to India
Harriette Boucher30 April 2026 12:45
Queen reunites Winnie-the-Pooh with long lost friend
The Queen has replaced a stuffed toy missing from the collection that inspired the Winnie-the-Pooh stories during her visit to New York Public Library.
On Wednesday, Camilla gifted the library a specially-made Roo to replace the one lost in the 1930s.
The collection, which includes Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger, and Kanga, originally belonged to AA Milne’s son.
“As we mark the 100th anniversary of the beloved Winnie-the-Pooh stories, The Queen has presented a very special gift to the New York Public Library, reuniting baby Roo with his friends from the 100 Acre Wood.
“The Library is home to the original collection of toys owned by Christopher Robin Milne, son of A.A. Milne, which inspired the characters in the beloved Winnie-the-Pooh series. The collection is missing Roo, the baby kangaroo who was lost in an orchard in the 1930s.”
Harriette Boucher30 April 2026 12:40
This was the day that Charles emerged from Queen Elizabeth’s shadow
The King’s witty and surprisingly political speech to Congress would have been heckled immediately had Starmer, Macron et al delivered it. Instead, a roomful of Americans got a deft history lesson – and appeared, at least, to listen, writes Sean O’Grady:
Harriette Boucher30 April 2026 11:55
Beckham praises King’s ‘powerful and profound’ speech to Congress
David Beckham praised the King’s “powerful and profound” speech to Congress as the monarch won plaudits for his addresses during his US state visit.
The former England footballer, who is an ambassador for Charles’s charity The King’s Foundation, posted on Instagram, describing the remarks as “delivering such an important message to the world with remarkable elegance and humour”.
The King tackled the diplomatically sensitive topic of the UK and US’s strained special relationship and stressed the importance of Nato and defending Ukraine.
Sir David wrote: “Powerful and profound speech from Our King in Washington DC…
“Following in his mother’s footsteps, showing great leadership and delivering such an important message to the world with remarkable elegance and humour.”
Harriette Boucher30 April 2026 11:25
Decoding the King’s speech – how Charles skilfully laid bare some inconvenient truths to Donald Trump
With eloquence and elan, the King’s address to the US Congress was a masterclass in sending contrarian messages to the US president that few would dare deliver. Simon Walters highlights the key battlegrounds…
Harriette Boucher30 April 2026 11:00
King and Queen have lay flowers at 9/11 MemorialKing and Queen have lay flowers at 9/11 Memorial
Harriette Boucher30 April 2026 10:35
How a town in Virginia is preparing for a visit from King Charles
King Charles and Queen Camilla will visit Front Royal on Thursday for the final day of their historic state visit.
The small town in Virginia, which has a population of around 15,000 people, has been preparing for their arrival for several days.
A “short and celebratory” parade is set to take place in the centre of town at around 10am, where the King and Queen will meet residents, local businesses, and organisations.
Government offices and the town’s Warren County Public Schools will be shut for the day due to road closures, allowing students and staff to attend the event, local media has reported.
Local school bands and cadets will participate in the parade.
The King and Queen are also expected to visit Shenandoah National Park and a horse-racing farm.
Harriette Boucher30 April 2026 10:10