The king went to Washington to save Britain’s bacon. He may also have shown the US how to save itself | Simon Tisdall

Charles III’s subtle, much needed history lesson delivered the US some tough love. But will Trump get the message? Of the many jokes cracked by King Charles during his visit to Washington, the one recalling the definitive 18th-century Anglo-French contest for dominion over the New World was the most pointed. Speaking at a state banquet in the White House, Charles turned to Donald Trump and said: “You recently commented, Mr President, that if it were not for the United States, European countries would be speaking German. Dare I say that, if it wasn’t for us, you’d be speaking French!” Did Trump get it?

Broadly speaking, history, even their own, is not most Americans’ favourite subject. Except, under Trump, it has twisted into a revived, ugly version of US “manifest destiny” imperialism. Simon Tisdall is a Guardian foreign affairs commentator Continue reading... Simon Tisdall Charles III’s subtle, much needed history lesson delivered the US some tough love. But will Trump get the message?

Speaking at a state banquet in the White House, Charles turned to Donald Trump and said: “You recently commented, Mr President, that if it were not for the United States, European countries would be speaking German. Dare I say that, if it wasn’t for us, you’d be speaking French !” Did Trump get it? Broadly speaking, history, even their own, is not most Americans’ favourite subject. Except, under Trump, it has twisted into a revived, ugly version of US “ manifest destiny ” imperialism. Charles’s subtle, much-needed history lesson may have done more than Trump ever has to make the US feel great again.

Nato countries such as Britain certainly do, Charles said. King Charles went to Washington to save Britain’s bacon. Will Americans heed his message? No sooner had Charles left Washington than Trump, predictably, began exploiting their private conversations to justify his Iranian inanities. But will Trump get the message?

Speaking at a state banquet in the White House, Charles turned to Donald Trump and said: “You recently commented, Mr President, that if it were not for the United States, European countries would be speaking German. Dare I say that, if it wasn’t for us, you’d be speaking French!” Did Trump get it? Broadly speaking, history, even their own, is not most Americans’ favourite subject. Except, under Trump, it has twisted into a revived, ugly version of US “manifest destiny” imperialism. The king went to Washington to save Britain’s bacon.