King Charles’s Address to the U.S. Congress
On April 28, King Charles spoke before a joint session of the U.S. Congress, becoming only the second British monarch ever to receive this honor. His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was the first to do so in 1991. The 77-year-old monarch was warmly welcomed with sustained standing ovations, and the bipartisan reaction in the chamber reflected broad support for his message.
Key Themes of the Speech
During his address, Charles directly countered positions held by President Donald Trump. He dedicated a significant portion of his speech to NATO, stressing the alliance’s importance.
“We have answered that call together—as our peoples have done for over a century, side by side, through two world wars, the Cold War, Afghanistan, and the moments that have defined our shared security,” said King Charles.He reminded the audience that the United States was the first—and so far the only—nation to invoke Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, following the terrorist attacks of September 11.
His mention of Ukraine drew one of the loudest reactions of the evening. Charles stated that “the same unwavering resolve Americans and Britons have shown in past conflicts is needed to defend Ukraine and its bravest people—to secure a truly just and lasting peace.” He also touched on environmental issues, emphasizing the need to address “what we in the United Kingdom have recently called—how to stop the collapse of critically important natural systems.”
The king avoided topics such as the Middle East conflict and the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, despite the fact that his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, remains under scrutiny over ties to Epstein. During the speech, Charles quoted Oscar Wilde and reminded Congress of the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. He concluded his address with a line from Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address:
“The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here,” said Abraham Lincoln.King Charles’s speech marked a significant moment in British-American relations, underscoring the shared values and commitments of both nations.
This address by King Charles can be seen as a symbolic gesture to strengthen Anglo-American ties in the face of contemporary global challenges, such as the war in Ukraine and climate change. By highlighting NATO’s importance and the need for international solidarity, the monarch reminded listeners of the long-standing traditions of cooperation between the United States and the United Kingdom, which could serve as a foundation for future diplomatic efforts.
As King Charles emphasized the significance of NATO and the ongoing situation in Ukraine during his address, the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve. In light of these developments, it is noteworthy that a closed-door meeting between Trump and King Charles III is set to take place, reflecting the complexities of international relations amid rising tensions over the conflict involving Zelenskyy.