King Charles III used a rare address to the US Congress to underline the strength of the transatlantic alliance, seeking to ease tensions between London and Washington while voicing support for Ukraine.
Speaking before a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives, the British monarch said that despite an era of uncertainty and conflict in Europe and the Middle East, the United States and the United Kingdom would remain close allies.
“Whatever our differences, whatever disagreements we may have, we stand united in our commitment to uphold democracy, to protect all our people from harm”, Charles told lawmakers, receiving a prolonged standing ovation as he entered alongside Queen Camilla.
A Carefully Calibrated Message
Although Buckingham Palace had indicated in advance that the speech would not be political, the King touched on several sensitive issues. He referred indirectly to President Donald Trump’s criticism of NATO, warned of the dangers of isolationism and stressed the importance of continued US support for Ukraine.
Charles also invoked the shared history of the two nations, including the response to the September 11 attacks.
“That same unyielding resolve is needed for the defense of Ukraine and her most courageous people”, he said, drawing a parallel between past cooperation and current security challenges.
Trump, who has repeatedly criticized NATO and questioned long-term US support for Ukraine, did not directly respond to the King’s remarks during the address. At a later White House state dinner, however, he suggested that Charles shared his stance on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
“We’re never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon”, Trump said, adding that the King agreed with him. Charles himself did not comment on the statement.
Notably, the monarch avoided any direct reference to the conflict with Iran during his own remarks.
Charles is only the second British monarch to address US Congress. His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, delivered a similar address in 1991.
Visit Amid Strained Relations
The speech came on the second day of Charles’s four-day state visit to the United States, at a time of strained relations between the two allies. Trump has repeatedly criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for what he sees as insufficient support in the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
The King’s remarks were delivered on the advice of the British government, but also reflected his long-standing personal priorities. In particular, he emphasized environmental protection, a theme he has championed for decades.
“As we look toward the next 250 years, we must also reflect on our shared responsibility to safeguard nature”, Charles said, receiving a more muted response from some Republican lawmakers.
Later, at a White House reception, Trump struck a more conciliatory tone, highlighting the historic ties between the two nations.
“It was a really good meeting. He’s a fantastic person”, Trump told reporters after seeing the King and Queen off.
Despite the diplomatic gestures, underlying tensions remain. According to reports, internal discussions in Washington have raised the possibility of reassessing US support for Britain’s claim to the Falkland Islands.
Avoiding the Epstein Issue
One subject notably absent from the visit was the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, which continues to cast a shadow over the royal family.
The King’s brother, Prince Andrew, has faced intense scrutiny over his past association with Epstein and is currently under police investigation. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna, who hosted a roundtable with Epstein survivors, said the King declined an invitation to attend.
“I thought the King owed it to the survivors”, Khanna said. “He unfortunately declined that request.”
