As part of the US State Visit, King Charles was honoured to address a joint meeting of Congress, where he thanked the American people for welcoming him and Queen Camilla to mark the 250th year of the Declaration of Independence.
It was a historic address, with The King speaking of the unique alliance between the US and UK that was met with moments of cheer, laughter, and numerous standing ovations from members of Congress.
Throughout his speech, Charles reflected on the shared history and common ideals between the US and UK, the importance of NATO and environmental protection, and how both nations continue to build in areas of economic and technological development to better shape the future.
Charles opened his speech referencing America’s 250th birthday and an Oscar Wilde quote: ‘We have really everything in common with America nowadays except, of course, language!’
Addressing the recent assassination attempt on President Trump, which occurred during the White House Correspondents’ dinner just days before the State Visit was due to begin, The King stated: ‘…in the aftermath of the incident not far from this great building that sought to harm the leadership of your Nation and to foment wider fear and discord. Let me say with unshakeable resolve: such acts of violence will never succeed.’
Reflecting on the last Monarch to address Congress he added: ‘I cannot help but think of my late mother, Queen Elizabeth, who, in 1991, was also afforded this signal honour and similarly spoke under the watchful eye of the Statue of Freedom above us.’
Elizabeth II addressed Congress in 1991, shortly after the Gulf War.
The King joked that when he addresses both houses during the formal State Opening of Parliament, to ensure the safety of the Monarch, a Member of Parliament is ‘taken hostage’ and held at Buckingham Palace; he said that he didn’t know ‘if there were any volunteers for that role today’.
The lighthearted moment was met with laughter, before he went on to praise the long-standing history between the US and UK, and while both do not always agree, they ‘have always found ways to come together,’ time and time again.
2026 represented Charles’ 20th visit to the United States, but first as Monarch.
He reflected on the symbolism of Washington D.C., saying that Charles Dickens may have called it ‘A Tale of Two Georges,’ in reference to Charles’ five-time great-grandfather, George III, and America’s first president, George Washington.
‘King George never set foot in America and, please rest assured, I am not here as part of some cunning rearguard action!’ said the King to a crowd of laughter.
Charles III then mentioned the Founding Fathers and that ‘they carried with them, and carried forward, the great inheritance of the British Enlightenment, as well as the ideals which had an even deeper history in English Common Law and Magna Carta’.
He added that ‘Magna Carta is cited in at least 160 Supreme Court cases since 1789, not least as the foundation of the principle that executive power is subject to checks and balances,’ which was met with cheers and applause from members of congress.
Later in his speech, Charles discussed his personal faith, stating: ‘Christian faith is a firm anchor and daily inspiration that guides us both personally and together as members of our community. It is why it is my hope, my prayer, that, in these turbulent times, working together and with our international partners, we can stem the beating of ploughshares into swords’.
This visit and speech comes at a time of political tension as Trump has criticised UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s refusal to support the US in its war with Iran.
In a callback to his late mother’s 1991 address, Charles stated: ‘Today, we find ourselves in a new era, but those values remain,’ referencing the shared defence of freedom between the two nations.
‘It is an era that is, in many ways, more volatile and more dangerous than the world to which my late Mother spoke.’
Then, Charles reflected on the atrocity of 9/11 and the shared military strength between nations. ‘We answered the call together, as our people have done so for more than a century, shoulder to shoulder, through two World Wars, the Cold War, Afghanistan and moments that have defined our shared security.’
Throughout his presidency, Trump has threatened to withdraw the US from NATO, which would greatly impact European allies and affect the war in Ukraine. ‘Today, Mr. Speaker, that same, unyielding resolve is needed for the defence of Ukraine and her most courageous people, in order to secure a truly just and lasting peace.’
Charles spoke to the common ideals between nations, ‘these features created the conditions for centuries of unmatched economic growth in our two countries,’ that would ‘continue to build, for generations yet unborn. Our ties in education, research, and cultural exchange empower citizens and future leaders of both countries.’
A cause close to Charles’ heart, being that of environmental protection, he shared the importance of safeguarding nature, ‘our most precious and irreplaceable asset,’ and recalled the once shared mountain range between Scotland and Appalachia.
‘The natural wonders of the United States of America are indeed a unique asset, and generations of Americans have risen to this calling: Indigenous, political and civic leaders, people in rural communities and cities alike,’ but that, ‘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’.
In his final remarks, Charles says: ‘The story of the United Kingdom and the United States is, at its heart, a story of reconciliation, renewal and remarkable partnership,’ and that from a bitter division 250 years ago, a strong alliance was forged.
‘I pray with all my heart that our Alliance will continue to defend our shared values, with our partners in Europe and the Commonwealth, and across the world, and that we ignore the clarion calls to become ever more inward-looking.’
Closing his speech Charles II added: ‘And so, to the United States of America, on your 250th birthday, let our two countries rededicate ourselves to each other in the selfless service of our peoples and of all the peoples of the world. God bless the United States and God bless the United Kingdom.’
