by Ross Hendry, CARE
The state visit to the United States by King Charles III and Queen Camilla had been long anticipated. In the weeks leading up to it, there was no shortage of debate about whether it should go ahead at all. Recent global tensions, and strains in the relationship between the UK and US governments only added to the sense that this would need to be approached carefully. Many observers recognised the delicate balancing act required, and navigating a path between inflaming tensions on the one hand and the temptation toward empty flattery on the other.
And yet, by the end of the four-day trip, the King’s visit to the US has been widely received as a success on both sides of the Atlantic.
Before going further, perhaps a brief disclaimer is in order. Like my colleague James did in last week’s long read, I should be clear about where I am coming from. I have always been something of a moderate republican. Whether shaped by the Welsh-speaking community I grew up in, the political circles I have been part of, or simply a conviction that we are all made equal in God’s image, I have often felt unease about leadership based on inherited privilege. And yet, at the same time, I have long admired the late Queen’s model of service and quiet witness, and I respect the present King’s integrity and willingness to champion causes that are not always popular, but are often, in their own way, prophetic. Nevertheless I am not a natural champion of royalty!
It is in that context that I have found myself greatly encouraged by what we have seen this past week because the King has offered a compelling model of public leadership; one that is worth paying attention to, and perhaps even recovering more broadly.
As John Stott argued in a lecture he gave at the founding of CARE and then later reproduced as the conclusion to Issues Facing Christians Today, Christian engagement in public life must never be careless or second-rate. If we are to contribute meaningfully to society, we must do so not only with integrity and compassion, but with genuine excellence and competence, and I think we could see each of these at work during this state visit.
For example, there has been a sense of excellence in every aspect of how the trip has been managed from the UK side. His speeches in particular have been viewed as a triumph – some even suggesting that they will be studied as case studies in diplomacy. They were carefully crafted, alongside a programme that was thoughtfully constructed, and the engagements handled with precision. This was not simply the work of one individual, but of a team drawing on deep experience across government, diplomacy, and public life. It was a reminder that good leadership is rarely accidental; it is prepared, deliberate, and attentive to detail.