King Charles III urges unity in historic address to Congress amid strained US-UK ties

MANCHESTER, England (CN) — King Charles III used a historic address to the U.S. Congress on Tuesday to urge unity between Britain and the United States, framing their relationship as essential in a time of global conflict and political strain.

The king, only the second British monarch to address Congress after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1991, received a standing ovation as he entered the chamber, shaking hands with Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson before delivering a 30-minute speech marking the 250th anniversary of American independence.

The address, the centerpiece of a four-day state visit, focused on shared democratic values and collective challenges.

“We meet in times of great uncertainty,” he said, pointing to conflicts from Europe to the Middle East and warning of “immense challenges for the international community.”

Charles used the speech to underline military and strategic ties, noting NATO’s only invocation of collective defense came after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, and calling for continued support for Ukraine. “That same, unyielding resolve is needed,” he said, urging lawmakers to back “a truly just and lasting peace.”

He also highlighted Britain’s pledge to increase defense spending, its largest rise since the Cold War, and pivoted to environmental concerns, urging both nations to “safeguard nature, our most precious and irreplaceable asset.”

At one point, he quoted Trump’s own words from a prior state visit, calling the bond between the two countries “priceless and eternal,” drawing applause from lawmakers.

He also addressed the recent shooting incident during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington on Sunday.

“Let me say with unshakeable resolve: Such acts of violence will never succeed,” he said. “Whatever our differences, whatever disagreements we may have, we stand united in our commitment to uphold democracy.”

A centuries-old friendship under strain

The speech comes at a delicate political moment.

Relations between Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer have grown strained over several issues, including disagreements on the U.S. war on Iran, the British deal to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, and Britain’s digital services tax on American social media platforms.

Trump has threatened additional tariffs if the tax is not dropped.

Last week, an internal Pentagon email suggested the U.S. was considering options to punish NATO allies that didn’t support its war on Iran, including suspending Spain and reviewing its position on the U.K.’s claim to the Falkland Islands, long-disputed with Argentina.

Despite these disputes, Trump struck a warmer tone after he greeted the king at the White House earlier in the day, praising the “shared history” of the two nations.

In Congress, the king echoed the special relationship: “From the bitter divisions of 250 years ago, we forged a friendship that has grown into one of the most consequential alliances in human history.”

Awkwardly, before the speech, a leaked recording revealed that the current British ambassador, Christian Turner, told students he avoids the term “special relationship,” calling it “nostalgic” and suggesting the only country with such a relationship with the U.S. is “probably Israel.”

Britain’s Foreign Office later said the remarks did not reflect government policy.

Calls for the king to meet victims of Jeffrey Epstein have added another layer of controversy. Lawmakers, including Representative Ro Khanna, and advocacy groups urged such a meeting during the visit, but no such engagement is scheduled.

The king’s brother, former Prince Andrew, is facing scrutiny over his ties to Epstein. He was arrested, before later being released, on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He remains under police investigation and denies any wrongdoing.

The king closed his address with a call to action.

“America’s words carry weight and meaning,” he said. “The actions of this great nation matter even more.”

The rest of the state visit

Earlier Tuesday, Charles and Queen Camilla were welcomed at the White House with a military ceremony under steady rain, with large crowds gathering despite the weather.

Trump joked about the “beautiful British day” as the two national anthems played.

The royal couple had attended a garden party at the British Embassy the night before with hundreds of guests.

The visit runs to Thursday and comes amid mixed public opinion in Britain, with polling suggesting 44% of voters opposed the trip, compared with 35% in support.

Events continue Wednesday and Thursday with visits to New York City, including meetings with families of 9/11 victims, and to Virginia, where the king will meet members of an Indigenous community and attend a celebration.

Courthouse News reporter James Francis Whitehead is based in England.

Follow @jayfranklinlive