King Charles emphasized the enduring unity of the United States and the United Kingdom in a speech to Congress and responded to the White House Correspondents’ Association incident
According to the CinemaDrame News Agency, King Charles, during his address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress, stressed the importance of continued close cooperation between Britain and the United States and spoke about the need to preserve NATO unity, at a time when some political voices in the U.S. have raised isolationist perspectives and criticism of the alliance.
He and Queen Camilla also referred during this U.S. visit—held to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence—to the Saturday shooting incident at the Washington Hilton hotel, where Donald Trump and senior government officials were attending the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
In his speech before members of Congress, the King described the incident as an “event” and said: “I say with determination that such acts of violence will never succeed. Whatever our differences may be, we are united in our commitment to protecting democracy, ensuring the safety of our people, and respecting the courage of those who risk their lives every day in service to our nations.”
The address was attended by a large number of lawmakers from both parties, unlike some previous speeches that saw notable absences among members of Congress.
King Charles did not mention Trump by name and sought to avoid entering partisan American politics.
However, parts of his remarks took on different interpretations within Washington’s tense political climate, particularly amid ongoing disputes between Democrats and Republicans over limiting presidential power.
In another section of his speech, he referred to the historical roots of British law and its influence on the U.S. legal system, noting that principles from Britain’s Bill of Rights of 1689 were later echoed in the American Bill of Rights. He also referenced the role of the Magna Carta in shaping the principle of oversight over executive power.
This portion of the speech was met with applause and drew positive reactions from both political parties.
Much of his address focused on the historical and political relationship between Britain and the United States and cooperation within NATO. He emphasized that this partnership is not based solely on sentiment, but on strengthening shared security and resilience for the future.
King Charles also addressed environmental issues, warning that neglecting natural systems could threaten national security and prosperity. This section of his speech was welcomed by parts of Congress, particularly among Democrats.
