King Charles III speech to US Congress marks 250th anniversary and UK-US ties

King Charles III addressed a joint session of the US Congress to mark the 250th anniversary of independence from Britain, stressing enduring UK-US relations. He acknowledged a time of uncertainty and echoed Queen Elizabeth II’s 1991 themes on shared democratic values. His remarks also condemned political violence amid heightened political tension.

King Charles III used a speech to the US Congress to mark the 250th anniversary of independence from Britain. Charles described an era of "great uncertainty\" and thanked Americans. Charles stressed links between the two countries during political turmoil in Washington. Charles told lawmakers the two nations share connected interests and a long record of cooperation.

Charles became only the second British monarch to speak to a joint session of Congress. Queen Elizabeth II addressed the chamber in 1991. Elizabeth focused on shared history and democratic values. Charles returned to those themes on Tuesday. The setting differed sharply, with tensions around the Iran war and US domestic security fears.

King Charles III speech to US Congress amid political turmoil

Many lawmakers attending the address had been at the White House Correspondents Dinner on Saturday. The event was disrupted by a shooting. Authorities described it as an attempted assassination against Trump. Charles addressed the violence directly. \"Let me say with unshakeable resolve,\" Charles said. \"Such acts of violence will never succeed.\"

Charles also signalled pressure points in the US-UK relationship. Charles said the countries cannot rely only on past achievements. Charles pointed to the Iran war as a test for the partnership. Charles urged firm backing for Ukraine against Russia. Charles also praised NATO, despite Trump repeatedly criticising the alliance.

US-UK ties as King Charles III meets President Donald Trump

Charles began the day at the White House and greeted Trump on the South Lawn. The skies were grey and drizzly. Trump joked it was a beautiful British day. Trump then spoke about shared history. Trump did not mention the dispute with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Trump linked the Magna Carta to American independence. Trump referred to King Johns sealing of the Magna Carta in 1215. \"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.

Charles and Trump then met in the Oval Office behind closed doors. The private format reduced the chance of public clashes. Such scenes have become common in Trumps second term. After the meeting, Trump said it was a really good meeting. Trump also said Charles is a fantastic person.

US-UK relationship strains as King Charles III visits Washington

Trump and Starmer have clashed for months over the war in Iran. Trump has tried to build international backing for the conflict. Starmer has mostly resisted those efforts. Trump criticised Starmer by saying this is not Winston Churchill that were dealing with. The dispute has added strain to US-UK coordination.

Trump has imposed tariffs on the UK and warned of more levies. A Supreme Court ruling earlier this year made unilateral tariff moves harder. Trump threatened last week to slap a big tariff on the UK. Trump linked it to a demand to scrap a digital services tax on US technology companies.

Trump has also challenged the trans-Atlantic alliance in other ways. Trump has pushed efforts to annex Greenland. Trump has threatened to walk away from NATO. Trump has imposed tariffs on and taunted Canada. Canada is a member of the British Commonwealth, which has widened concern among US allies.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York criticised Republican policies on Monday. Jeffries said those policies strained the US-UK relationship. \"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. There was no indication Charles would do so. The scandal has ensnared his brother, who was arrested in February. The arrest involved misconduct allegations, which he denies. The matter added another sensitive issue during the trip.

Rep. Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, has pushed for a reckoning over Epstein. Khanna said the British ambassador to the US spoke about the issue. Khanna said he was told there would be an acknowledgment of the survivors. The acknowledgment was expected during the congressional address.

Charles and Camilla arrived in Washington on Monday. The royal couple held a tea with the president and first lady Melania Trump. The visit continued after the speech to Congress. Charles and Camilla planned stops later this week in New York City and Virginia as part of the US trip.

With inputs from PTI