King Charles III enlisted the help of Sir Mark Rylance, the acclaimed actor and former artistic director of Shakespeare’s Globe in London, in preparing his speeches delivered during his state visit to the United States in April. The speeches, which featured self-deprecating humor and theatrical references to Shakespeare, received widespread praise on both sides of the Atlantic for their blend of diplomacy and wit.

The King consulted Rylance, known for his roles in productions such as "Wolf Hall" and his play "I am Shakespeare," as part of his speechwriting process. In addition to Rylance's input, Charles drew on advice from a variety of external sources, including officials at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the British embassy in Washington. This collaborative effort contributed to the success of his addresses at prominent US venues including the White House and a joint session of Congress.

At a White House dinner, Charles highlighted Washington, D.C., as home to the largest collection of Shakespeare Folios worldwide, noting the 82 copies held at the Folger Shakespeare Library. He also evoked a passage from Shakespeare’s "Henry V," quoting the Duke of Burgundy's plea for peace: “My speech entreats, that I may know… why gentle Peace should not ... bless us with her former qualities.”

During his speech to Congress, the King incorporated quotes from Oscar Wilde and Abraham Lincoln, and humorously referenced Charles Dickens by framing the historical ties between the United States and the United Kingdom as “a tale of two Georges.” His address was met with standing ovations from members of both the Democratic and Republican parties.

Former President Donald Trump publicly praised the King's performance, stating that the speech was “great” and expressing envy that Charles succeeded in gaining a standing ovation from Democrats, a feat he admitted had eluded him.

Charles and Rylance have a longstanding connection, having first met in 1995, with a shared passion for Shakespearean literature and an unusual mutual interest in crop circles. The collaboration between the monarch and the actor underscores the blending of cultural appreciation and statecraft in the King’s diplomatic engagements.