King Charles III on Tuesday marked the 250th anniversary of American independence from Britain with gratitude that the two sides united to build “one of the most consequential alliances in human history” while urging “that we ignore the clarion calls to become ever more inward-looking.”
Speaking to a joint session of the US Congress, Charles repeatedly highlighted the historical and cultural ties that he said have cemented an enduring bond between the US and the UK.
However, even as he spoke in unifying, optimistic terms, he delivered a series of nuanced warnings encouraging leaders in the US to remain collaborative and engaged in global affairs.
Photo: EPA
He said the alliance between the US and the UK “cannot rest on past achievements.”
Charles urged “unyielding resolve” in backing Ukraine against Russia and heralded the NATO alliance.
The king praised religious pluralism and interfaith dialogue, and encouraged those in office to “reflect on our shared responsibility to safeguard nature, our most precious and irreplaceable asset.”
Charles is on a four-day visit to the US intended to celebrate US independence and to repair the country’s relationship with the UK.
Charles is just the second British monarch to address a joint session of Congress. His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, delivered a similar speech in 1991 highlighting the historic ties between both sides and the importance of their democratic values.
While the king paid tribute to those remarks, he acknowledged that today’s environment is “more volatile and more dangerous than the world to which my late mother spoke.”
Many of the lawmakers in the room were at Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner, which was disrupted by an apparent attempted assassination against Trump.
“Let me say with unshakeable resolve,” Charles said. “Such acts of violence will never succeed.”
Earlier on Tuesday, joined by Queen Camilla, Charles had a warm greeting with US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump at the White House.
In his welcome remarks, Trump also highlighted the shared history between the two countries.
“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.
The leaders met privately in the Oval Office for a meeting Trump later described as “really good,” adding that Charles is a “fantastic person.”
Trump hosted the royal couple for a state dinner later on Tuesday in the East Room of the White House. About 130 guests were seated at two long tables, including leaders of major tech companies such as Apple chief executive officer Tim Cook and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, along with US Supreme Court justices, and journalists and hosts from Fox News.
Charles and Camilla were to continue their US tour this week with stops in New York City and Virginia.
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