The King Before Congress: History, Diplomacy, and a Touch of Wilde

On 28 April 2026, King Charles III addressed the United States Congress — a moment charged with ceremony and quiet historical weight. As he walked slowly to the lectern, his bearing alone seemed to still the chamber. Something rare and significant was about to unfold.

He opened, disarmingly, with wit. Quoting Oscar Wilde, the King drew warm laughter from the assembled legislators:

"We have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, language."

What followed earned him numerous standing ovations — a speech woven from clever humour, resonant historical references, and genuine praise for America and its enduring friendship with Britain. I found myself particularly struck by one phrase: "The Founding Fathers were bold and imaginative rebels with a cause." Descriptive, precise, and quietly daring.

The speech was as much a history lesson as an act of statesmanship. The King invoked Magna Carta — Latin for "Great Charter" — the foundational document agreed upon in England in 1215, enshrining the principle that no one stands above the law. It is the bedrock upon which democracy in both the United Kingdom and the United States was built, and hearing it spoken of in those hallowed chambers carried a particular resonance.

What impressed me most was the King's masterclass in diplomacy — a rare blend of candour and grace. Even when addressing issues that divide Congress, he spoke with sincerity and authenticity, never retreating into comfortable platitudes.

His closing was quietly profound. Reminding his audience that America's words carry weight and meaning, he added that the actions of this great nation matter even more. He then sealed the thought by invoking Lincoln's timeless words from the Gettysburg Address:

"The world will little note what we say, but it will never forget what we do."

It was, in every sense, a speech worthy of the occasion — and of the man who delivered it.

In my next edition, we turn to something altogether lighter: the King's after-dinner speech, and the rather different art of making a room laugh.

Warmly,
Olga Smith

Elocution Lesson with Prince William

This is the third edition in the Elocution Lessons With Royals series, where I analyse Prince William's short speech in Cape Town (2024).

What Worked Well

Three elements were particularly strong: the introduction, the conclusion, and his overall presence.

What stood out to me the most was the way William approached the stage: with a measured pace and clear confidence. Many public speakers rush on, which can signal nervousness—and often amplifies it. By contrast, a calm, unhurried walk helps set the tone, giving the speaker a moment to collect their thoughts and establish presence from the outset.

That’s exactly what happened here. William began by greeting the audience in several African languages, and that was met with genuine enthusiasm. It’s a simple but powerful technique in public speaking —especially for international audiences. Taking the time to learn even a basic greeting in your audience’s languages can immediately build rapport and create a strong, memorable opening.

His commanding presence was further elevated by masterful eye contact and resonant voice projection.

William used rhetorical devices (repetition, alliteration) and the rule of three to enhance his speech:

“People dedicated their time, talent and vision”

“When they succeed - we all succeed, when they thrive - we all thrive, when they win - we all win”

He closed his speech by offering farewells in several African languages, rekindling the audience’s enthusiasm.

What He Could Have Done Differently

• For most of his speech, Prince William stood with arms crossed in front of his body.

It is his signature gesture. It projects composure and restraint in informal or observational settings. It can signal thoughtfulness, control, and a certain self-assured poise. However, in the context of public speaking, the same gesture can work against the speaker’s objectives.

An arms-crossed posture is often read, consciously or not, as closed or defensive. It creates a subtle barrier between the speaker and the audience, limiting openness and connection. Open gestures, by contrast, signal confidence, transparency, and engagement. There’s also a physical limitation. A constrained posture can therefore make delivery feel less dynamic and less persuasive.

For a speaker of Prince William’s stature, whose presence already carries authority, adopting a more open stance—relaxed arms, purposeful gestures, and grounded posture—would enhance warmth and relatability without sacrificing gravitas.

The body of his speech was marked by extended, densely constructed sentences, with little use of pause. This made the delivery harder to follow and risked diminishing audience engagement over time.

In public speaking, shorter sentences combined with deliberate pauses work better. Pauses, in particular, give the audience time to absorb and reflect, ensuring that each message is fully received before moving on to the next.

Public speakers can master phrases with the app 4Ps, Power, Pitch, Pace, Pause (iOS/Android).

In my next speech, I will be analysing a speech of another member of the British Royal family.

Warmly

Olga Smith

Elocution Lessons With Prince Harry

Prince Harry delivered a powerful speech in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine — the capital of my motherland.

The content of his speech, the way it was written, and its delivery are impressive. I have decided to analyse it, and this analysis is the start of my new series, Elocution Lessons with Prince Harry.

Content

As a half-Russian and half-Ukrainian who was born in the Soviet Union, I can say that Harry’s speech was well researched.

Harry immediately connects with the audience by saying that he speaks to people as a former soldier of the Afghan war. He further strengthens this bond by saying, “I will not be speaking about Ukraine; I will be speaking directly to you.”

He uses rhetorical devices right from the start and throughout his speech.

• Alliterations that help the audience remember what is said:

“difficult to describe”

“courage over caution”

"commitment with consistency"

"decisive actions delivered quickly"

• The Rule of Three:

“strength, dignity and purpose”

“silence, delay and lack of accountability”

“actively, consistently and collectively”

“Ukraine earned respect through its leadership, through its resilience and through its conduct”

• Repetition and the power of three make the message stand out and become more memorable:

“clarity of what matters, clarity of what is at stake, and clarity of who is carrying this burden”,

“still standing, still fighting, and still leading”,

“shared mission and shared responsibility”.

• Contrasts multiply the depth and impact of what is being said:

“not in speeches but in action”

“not strength in arms but strength in unity”

“not just resilience but innovation under fire”

“not just survival but purpose”

“Strength is not measured by how loudly we speak, but by how consistently we stand for the values we hold dear”

Speech Delivery

Harry was reading the speech, yet he looked at the audience consistently and maintained good eye contact.

He emphasises key words and uses pauses effectively — allowing important ideas to land.

The pace of his speech was easy to follow, neither rushed nor slow.

What Harry could have done better

Three things stood out to me:

• Uneven audience engagement

Harry often directed his gaze to the right side of the audience. A more balanced distribution of attention would have strengthened the connection across the room.

• Posture

One shoulder appeared slightly raised — a small detail, but posture influences perceived confidence and authority.

• Limited use of gestures

His hands remained mostly behind the lectern. Visible, controlled gestures could have reinforced key messages. At moments, slight awkward hand movement suggested some nervousness.

In my next edition, I will continue elocution lessons with Prince Harry

Stay tuned

Warmly

Olga Smith