King Charles III addressed a joint session of Congress on Tuesday in a speech that reinforced the like-mindedness between the United States and Great Britain in what he described as these “turbulent times.”
And while his remarks were cordial, frequently witty and drew heavily on the shared history of the two countries’ “special relationship,” they were also laced with subtext about America’s global leadership and responsibilities, its loyalty to its allies and its commitment to democratic values.
Amid a strain in relations that has seen disagreements over the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine and has tested the integrity of the NATO alliance, the king urged the U.S. and the United Kingdom to rededicate themselves to each other in service to the people of the world. He honored the foundational friendship and “consequential alliance” that the countries must continue to build on.
“Ours is a partnership born out of dispute, but no less strong for it,” Charles said. “So perhaps in this example, we can discern that our nations are, in fact, instinctively like-minded, a product of the common democratic, legal and social traditions in which our governance is rooted.”
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer after the British leader said he did not want to get involved in U.S. and Israeli-led attacks on Iran. Trump previously questioned his leadership as Starmer initially refused the U.S. use of British bases in the operation.
Trump said that the United Kingdom “should be our best” ally and mocked Starmer for saying he needed to check with his team before making any military decisions.
Charles, who frequently distances himself from politics, notably referenced Starmer in his speech.
“As my prime minister said last month, ours is an ‘indispensable’ partnership. We must not disregard everything that has sustained us for the last 80 years,” Charles said. Instead we must build.”
He did not touch on the conflict any further but stayed on message, at times playfully so.
“As Oscar Wilde said, ‘We have really everything in common with America nowadays except, of course, language,’” Charles said, drawing a laugh from the assembled lawmakers.
Charles is the second British monarch to speak to Congress. His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, addressed lawmakers on Capitol Hill more than 35 years ago. During his appearance, timed to mark the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence from Great Britain, the king noted the countries’ continuous partnership throughout “two world wars, the Cold War, Afghanistan and moments that have defined our shared security today.” He alluded to the shared goal of mutual security that lies at the heart of the NATO pact and called for the defense of Ukraine to garner a lasting peace.
Of many points Charles mentioned, he emphasized checks and balances, a foundational principle of democracy and one that long set the United States and the United Kingdom apart from countries sliding toward authoritarianism. He mentioned the Bill of Rights and the Magna Carta, drawing comparisons in U.S. and U.K. politics and citing the need to regularly recommit to the rule of law – comments that brought his audience of lawmakers to their feet in applause.
The king referenced his Christian faith and love for the environment in his speech as he mentioned the hope he takes from the Easter season and the ailments of the natural wonders of the world.
While not in attendance, Trump calls himself a longtime fan of the monarchy. His mother was born in Scotland.
“She loved the royal family and she loved the queen,” Trump said in the greeting ceremony on Tuesday morning. He told the crowd that his mom used to say she thought Charles was cute.
“I wonder what she’s thinking right now,” he said.
The speech was one of several events of the day, all closely monitored. After the attempted assasination of the president on Saturday at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, extensive security measures for the king’s visit were increased. Charles is stateside for four days and will also visit New York and Virginia.
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