King Charles calls for unified Western front in address to US lawmakers

US Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson were in attendance as Britain's King Charles III delivered a speech to a Joint Meeting of Congress in the House Chamber at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on April 28, 2026.

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King Charles III called on the United States to maintain its alliance with Western nations, as tensions over Iran and Ukraine pose a significant threat to transatlantic relationships, which are facing their most substantial challenge in years.

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In his address to Congress, the monarch tactfully avoided discussing the strained relationship between President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, instead emphasizing that the partnership between the two countries was forged in adversity, yet remains robust.

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The speech was well-received by the audience, as King Charles III touched on various topics, including climate change, the need for limitations on presidential authority, the importance of NATO, and the defense of Ukraine, all of which are sensitive issues for Republican lawmakers.

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King Charles III stressed that global challenges necessitate closer cooperation between the United States and its traditional partners, stating, "The challenges we face are too great for any one nation to bear alone."

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During his address to lawmakers, which coincided with celebrations marking 250 years since American independence, King Charles III emphasized the need for "unyielding resolve" to achieve a "just and lasting peace" in Ukraine, which has been embroiled in a full-scale conflict with Russia since 2022.

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Earlier, President Trump welcomed King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the White House, hailing Britain as America's closest ally during a four-day state visit.

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President Trump struck a warm tone, stating, "In the centuries since we won our independence, Americans have had no closer friends than the British," and praising the "special relationship" and military partnership between the two nations.

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A 21-gun salute and a performance by a military band playing the British and US national anthems marked the pomp-filled welcome on the South Lawn, where King Charles III shook hands with top Trump administration officials and inspected troops alongside the president.

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Following the welcome ceremony, four US jets performed a flypast over the White House, which was watched by President Trump, King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and First Lady Melania Trump.

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The visit takes place at a delicate moment, with President Trump having criticized Britain's stance on Iran and other policies, despite which he maintained a jovial tone, joking about his Scottish-born mother having "a crush on Charles" ahead of talks in the Oval Office.

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President Trump described King Charles III as "a fantastic person" and said it was "a real honor" to meet with him, following a closed-door meeting in the Oval Office.

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The king's address to Congress, the first by a British monarch since Queen Elizabeth II in 1991, was the centerpiece of the visit, during which King Charles III highlighted the shared democratic traditions between the two nations.

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King Charles III referred to Congress as a "citadel of democracy" and emphasized the common legal roots of the two countries, noting that the Magna Carta has been cited in over 160 US Supreme Court cases, and stressing the principle of checks and balances on executive power.

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The monarch also underscored the deep defense and economic ties between the two nations, stating that cooperation in security, technology, and trade remains essential to the alliance, and that "our defense, intelligence and security ties are hardwired together."

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King Charles III condemned acts of violence, saying "such acts of violence will never succeed," amidst tight security during the visit, which follows an alleged assassination attempt against President Trump at a weekend Washington media gala.