King Charles US Congress speech marks 250th anniversary of US independence and UK US ties

King Charles III addressed a joint session of the US Congress to mark the 250th anniversary of US independence from Britain, thanking the American people and stressing longstanding UK US relations. He echoed themes raised by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991, while acknowledging political uncertainty and recent unrest affecting US and UK leaders.

King Charles III used a speech to the US Congress to thank Americans and note a period of "great uncertainty\". The address marked 250 years since independence from Britain. It also stressed the close links between the countries during political strain in Washington and London. Charles told lawmakers, \"For all that time, Charles said, our destinies have been interlinked.\"

Charles became only the second British monarch to speak to a joint session of Congress. Queen Elizabeth II delivered a similar address in 1991. That speech focused on shared history and democratic principles. Charles returned to those themes on Tuesday. The setting differed sharply from 1991, due to current US political tensions.

King Charles III speech to US Congress amid uncertainty

President Donald Trump is in open conflict with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the war in Iran. Many lawmakers in the chamber had attended the White House Correspondents Dinner on Saturday. That event was disrupted by a shooting. Authorities have described it as an attempted assassination against Trump.

Charles directly condemned political violence during the address. \"Let me say with unshakeable resolve, Charles said. Such acts of violence will never succeed.\" The line came as security fears remained high in Washington. The message also aimed to underline stability between the allies during a tense week for US politics.

King Charles III and Trump meeting at White House

Earlier, Charles started the day at the White House and greeted Trump on the South Lawn. Grey and drizzly weather set the scene. Trump joked it was a \"beautiful British day\". Trump then shifted to the history shared by the United States and the United Kingdom, while avoiding any mention of Starmer.

Trump linked King John’s sealing of the Magna Carta in 1215 to the American Revolution. \"American patriots today can sing, My country, tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, only because our colonial ancestors first sang, God save the King, Trump said.\" Trump later described the Oval Office meeting as private and closed to the public.

The closed meeting reduced the chance of the open, sometimes controversial sessions seen with visiting leaders. Afterward, Trump said it was \"a really good meeting\" and added Charles is \"a fantastic person.\" The approach contrasted with other second-term meetings, which have often included extended comments before cameras and reporters.

US-UK relationship under strain as King Charles III visits

Trump’s relationship with Starmer has worsened over recent months. Trump has sought international backing for the war in Iran. Starmer has largely resisted those overtures. Trump criticised Starmer by saying \"this is not Winston Churchill that were dealing with.\" Trump has also imposed tariffs on the UK and warned of more.

A Supreme Court ruling earlier this year made unilateral tariff moves more difficult. Still, Trump threatened last week to apply a big tariff. The threat depended on the UK dropping a digital services tax on US technology companies. Trump has also challenged the trans-Atlantic alliance with Greenland annexation efforts and NATO exit threats.

Trump has repeatedly imposed tariffs on and taunted Canada, a British Commonwealth member. In Congress, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York criticised Republican policies on Monday. \"Hopefully, the kings visit is going to go a long way toward repairing the damage that this administration has done to one of our most important allies in the world, Jeffries said.\"

Charles also faced calls on Capitol Hill to meet victims of Jeffrey Epstein during the trip. There is no indication Charles will do so. The scandal involving the convicted sex offender has also ensnared Charles’s brother. That brother was arrested in February over misconduct allegations, which the brother denies.

Rep Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, has led calls for an Epstein reckoning. Khanna said the British ambassador to the US told Khanna there would be an acknowledgment of survivors during the congressional address. Charles and Camilla arrived in Washington on Monday. They also had tea with Trump and first lady Melania Trump.

The royal couple planned to continue the US visit later this week. The schedule included stops in New York City and Virginia. The trip combined ceremony with political symbolism, as leaders stressed shared history despite current disputes. Charles’s message in Congress kept focus on long ties, even as US-UK tensions remained visible.

With inputs from PTI