British monarch King Charles III delivered a historic address to a joint meeting of Congress on Tuesday, urging lawmakers to uphold the transatlantic alliance and confront global challenges together. The speech, the first by a British monarch in 35 years, came amid heightened tensions over President Trump's foreign policy and a recent attack on the White House Correspondents Association dinner.
Charles emphasized that no single nation can tackle today's threats alone, directly invoking the need for continued support for Ukraine in its war with Russia. He drew parallels to the NATO-led response after 9/11, saying, “Today, Mr. Speaker, that same, unyielding resolve is needed for the defense of Ukraine and her most courageous people.” The line earned loud bipartisan applause.
The monarch also stressed the importance of democratic institutions, including a free press and independent judiciary, remarks that resonated amid ongoing debates over media freedom and judicial independence. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) said the king used the platform to remind America of its democratic roots and the value of checks and balances.
Charles’s address, the second ever by a British monarch to Congress, followed his mother Queen Elizabeth II’s 1991 speech. The House chamber was packed with lawmakers, Cabinet members, Vice President Vance, and Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. Queen Camilla, seated on the dais in a white dress with black stitching, joined the monarch for the event.
While much of the speech focused on the historic reconciliation between the U.S. and U.K., a notable partisan split emerged when Charles urged action on climate change. He said, “We ignore at our peril the fact that these natural systems provide the foundation for our prosperity and our national security.” Democrats rose to applaud, but most Republicans remained seated, drawing criticism from Stansbury, who noted that past environmental legislation was bipartisan.
The king also joked about the 250-year-old rift between the nations, quipping that he did not come “as part of some cunning rearguard action” and that the U.K. views 1776 as “just the other day.” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) praised the speech as “a terrific combo of wit, humor, history and appreciation,” adding that it was unusual for a unifying moment to come from a foreign monarch.
Earlier in the day, Charles met with President Trump at the White House, where Trump called him a “fantastic person.” The king also held separate talks with congressional leaders from both parties. His visit comes as Trump has signaled interest in withdrawing from NATO, a move that would require congressional approval and faces bipartisan opposition.
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) said Charles was “well-measured” in his NATO comments and “very respectful.” The monarch condemned the recent attempted attack on the White House Correspondents Association dinner, a topic that has sparked debate over political rhetoric and security, as highlighted in coverage of Charlamagne’s refusal to soften anti-Trump language after the incident.
Charles concluded by urging lawmakers to resist inward-looking tendencies, saying, “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.” The address underscored the enduring bond between the two nations while exposing the political fault lines that remain in Washington.
