King Charles III has highlighted the enduring strength of Britain’s “special relationship” with the United States during a landmark address to Congress, touching on issues ranging from NATO to Ukraine and the escalating climate crisis.
His remarks, delivered with diplomatic nuance, were widely interpreted as an indirect appeal to former president Donald Trump to reaffirm Washington’s historic ties with Europe and its role in defending liberal democratic values.
“America’s words carry weight and meaning, as they have since independence. The actions of this great nation matter even more,” the king said.
The speech, delivered before a joint session of Congress, marked the first time in 35 years that a British monarch has addressed the chamber.
It formed the centrepiece of a four-day state visit to the US, where the king and Queen Camilla are participating in events commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary of independence.
Reflecting on the long-standing partnership between the two countries, Charles described the alliance as exceptional in both depth and history. “The alliance that our two nations have built over the centuries – and for which we are profoundly grateful to the American people – is truly unique,” he said.
In remarks that appeared to resonate particularly with Democratic lawmakers, the king pointed to the concept of checks and balances, tracing its origins to the UK’s historic charter, the Magna Carta.
Turning to global security, Charles called for steadfast commitment to Ukraine, urging continued support for what he described as a just and lasting peace. He praised “Ukraine and her most courageous people” and called for “unyielding resolve” in defending their sovereignty.
Addressing Congress from the House of Representatives, the monarch also stressed the urgency of tackling environmental challenges.
Referencing America’s natural heritage, he cited former president Theodore Roosevelt, invoking the idea of preserving the nation’s “extraordinary natural splendour” as a cornerstone of its prosperity.
“Yet even as we celebrate the beauty that surrounds us, our generation must decide how to address the collapse of critical natural systems which threatens far more than the harmony and essential diversity of nature.”
“We ignore at our peril the fact that these natural systems, in other words, nature’s own economy, provide the foundation for our prosperity and our national security.”
Charles also underscored the economic ties binding the two nations, noting the scale of bilateral trade and investment at a time of rising tensions over tariffs. He highlighted the billions of dollars in annual trade and the millions of jobs supported across both economies.
On defence, the king reaffirmed the central role of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in safeguarding transatlantic security. He praised the contribution of US forces and allied nations, describing their cooperation as vital to protecting shared interests.
He further expressed support for the AUKUS partnership with Australia, calling it “the most ambitious submarine programme in history” and a key pillar of future resilience.
“We do not embark on these remarkable endeavours together out of sentiment. We do so because they build greater shared resilience for the future, so making our citizens safer for generations to come,” he said.
Charles noted that the global landscape has grown increasingly unstable since the last royal address to Congress by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991, reinforcing the importance of close cooperation between allies.
While his speech remained measured, it came against a backdrop of policy differences between the US and the government of Keir Starmer, particularly over military action and trade disputes.
Earlier, the king was welcomed at the White House in a ceremonial display, where Trump declared that Americans had no closer allies than the British. However, the monarch’s arrival was kept private, reflecting sensitivities surrounding the visit.
At a state dinner later that evening, Charles reiterated the importance of unity, telling guests that the occasion marked a renewal of an “indispensable alliance.” During the same event, Trump commented on tensions with Iran, stating that the country had been “militarily defeated.”
Members of Congress from both parties welcomed the visit. Republican Senate leader John Thune praised the longstanding partnership, while Democratic leader Chuck Schumer emphasised the importance of alliances and the continued relevance of NATO.
With trade disputes lingering and political divisions evident ahead of upcoming elections, the king concluded by stressing the enduring foundations of UK-US cooperation, describing them as a platform on which future generations can continue to build.
