The royal couple, aged 78 and 77 respectively, are spending four days in the U.S. with Donald Trump and the First Lady, attending formal events and carrying out a series of engagements.
On Tuesday (28 April), the second day of their trip, the schedule was packed. Highlights included Charles delivering a historic speech to Congress, followed by an elaborate state banquet later that evening.
A Phrase Lost in Translation
Earlier that day, the King and Queen took part in a ceremonial arrival at the White House, where they were welcomed by Trump and Melania on the South Lawn. Four chairs had been arranged for the couples as they prepared for the president’s address.
A clip that quickly circulated online showed the two women, both dressed in white, seated side by side and quietly chatting while waiting for proceedings to begin.
With light rain falling, a lip reader claimed to have picked up part of their exchange. According to the analysis, Camilla remarked: “Oh, it’s rather wet,” prompting Melania to reply with a laugh, “It certainly is.”
Camilla then reportedly added: “We shall have soggy bottoms,” a distinctly British expression that seemed to confuse Melania, who repeated: “Soggy bottom.”
The phrase, widely known in the UK thanks to The Great British Bake Off, refers to undercooked pastry. It also uses the word “bottom” in a way that isn’t as common in American English, which may explain the brief moment of confusion.
A Historic Address
Later that day, King Charles made history by addressing the U.S. Congress, becoming only the second British monarch to do so after Queen Elizabeth II.
In his speech, he reflected on shared democratic values between the two nations, saying: “Distinguished members of the 119th Congress, it is here in these very halls that this spirit of liberty and the promise of America’s Founders is present in every session and every vote cast.”
“Not by the will of one, but by the deliberation of many, representing the living mosaic of the United States.”
He continued: “In both of our countries, it is the very fact of our vibrant, diverse and free societies that gives us our collective strength, including to support victims of some of the ills that, so tragically, exist in both our societies today.”