King Charles III acknowledged “times of great uncertainty” as he expressed gratitude to the American people and marked the 250th anniversary of independence from Britain in a speech to the US Congress that highlighted the bonds between the two countries at a time of political turmoil.
“For all that time,” Charles said, “our destinies have been interlinked.”
Charles is only the second British monarch to address a joint session of Congress. His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, delivered a similar speech in 1991 highlighting the historic ties between both countries and the importance of their democratic values.
The king picked up on those themes during his remarks, which were delivered in a far different environment than when his mother spoke to the same chamber in the US Capitol.
President Donald Trump is in open conflict with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the war in Iran.
Many of the lawmakers in the room were at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Sunday, which was disrupted by a shooting that authorities have described as an attempted assassination against Trump.
“Let me say with unshakeable resolve,” Charles said. “Such acts of violence will never succeed.”
Even as the king focused on common interests, there were subtle nods at issues that have divided the US and the UK, particularly when it comes to global affairs.
He said the countries “cannot rest on past achievements” as the Iran war tests their relationship. And he urged “unyielding resolve” in backing Ukraine against Russia, while heralding the NATO alliance that Trump has repeatedly undermined.
The king began his day at the White House, where he and Trump greeted each other warmly during a ceremony on the South Lawn.
Appearing under gray, drizzly skies, Trump quipped that it was a “beautiful British day” before shifting his focus to the shared history of the US and UK.
Making no mention of his dispute with Starmer, Trump drew a line from King John’s sealing of the Magna Carta in 1215 to the American Revolution.
“American patriots today can sing, ’My country, ’tis of thee, sweet land of liberty,’ only because our colonial ancestors first sang, ‘God save the King,’” Trump said.
The two leaders huddled in the Oval Office for a meeting that was closed to the public, reducing the potential for the freewheeling, sometimes controversial meetings with foreign officials that have become routine during Trump’s second term. Afterward, Trump said it was a “really good meeting” and Charles is a “fantastic person.”
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