King Charles III Did Not Call For Eliminating National Borders

Recent viral social media posts claim that King Charles III called for the elimination of national borders during a state banquet with French President Emmanuel Macron in July 2025. After examining the evidence, we find this claim to be misleading.

Social Media Posts

Multiple social media posts have circulated a claim that “King Charles calls for no borders.” This misleading assertion has been spreading widely across both Facebook and X platforms.

Source | Archive

Source | Archive

Fact Check

What Did King Charles Actually Say?

During the state banquet held at Windsor Castle with President Macron, King Charles addressed the pressing need for UK-France cooperation in the face of modern global threats. The relevant excerpt from the speech reads:

“Together, we are confronted by a multitude of complex threats, emanating from multiple directions. These challenges know no borders: no fortress can protect us against them this time.”

The phrase “know no borders” was clearly used in reference to the nature of contemporary challenges, such as terrorism, climate change, cyber warfare, disinformation, people-smuggling networks, and pandemics, which, by their very nature, transcend national boundaries.

He did not say or imply that national borders should be erased. There was no call for open borders, nor any mention of changing immigration policy or sovereignty.

The full transcript is available on the official Royal website for reference and provides the complete context of the remarks. Watch the video of the King giving his speech below.

embed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA7S4GHZ3uU

King Charles was simply calling for countries to work together, not making a political statement. Throughout his speech, he highlighted the close relationship between Britain and France. He mentioned their shared history and ongoing partnership as the best way to tackle challenges that cross national boundaries. When he said “no fortress can protect us,” he was pointing out that countries can’t solve these problems alone—not suggesting that borders don’t matter.

This kind of language is common in diplomatic speeches, particularly when discussing issues like climate change and international crime that affect multiple countries. (Source: EU Today)

Royal Protocol and Constitutional Limits

King Charles III follows clear rules during state visits that limit his role to ceremonial duties rather than political ones. As a constitutional monarch, he acts on the advice of the UK government through the Foreign Office. His responsibilities include welcoming foreign leaders, hosting formal dinners, and giving speeches that promote friendship between nations.

The King cannot make policy decisions or advocate for political positions. All his public statements are carefully written to express diplomatic goodwill while maintaining political neutrality. This arrangement allows the monarchy to serve as a symbol of national unity while the elected government handles actual foreign policy. (Source: UK Parliament, Royal UK)

Interpretation in Policy Context

Interestingly, the UK’s actual border policies show the opposite of what social media claims. In June 2025, the UK Home Office announced a 36% drop in illegal boat crossings in the English Channel. This success came from a £480 million agreement between the UK and France in 2023 that strengthened border security and targeted smuggling operations.

Far from suggesting open borders, King Charles’s speech actually highlighted how well this border cooperation works. He emphasized the importance of countries working together to address threats that cross borders, not getting rid of the borders themselves. (Source: GBN)

Conclusion

The claim that King Charles III advocated for “no borders” lacks proper context. His speech did not promote the elimination of national borders but instead used figurative language to describe shared global challenges that transcend them.

The King’s remarks employed figurative language to illustrate how contemporary challenges such as terrorism and climate change transcend national boundaries. His message emphasized international cooperation to address these shared concerns, rather than advocating for the dissolution of national borders.