Politics

King Charles is the second British monarch to address Congress, but tensions shadow the moment

By Ana Ceballos, Staff Writer Follow, April 28, 2026 Updated 1:19 PM PT

• King Charles III is the second British monarch to address Congress in a joint session, following his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1991. He talked about the need to support European alliances at a time of “great uncertainty.”

WASHINGTON — King Charles III addressed a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, delivering a carefully worded speech that threaded two of his most deeply held causes — climate action and the defense of Europe — to a roomful of people deeply divided on both.

The king’s address to Congress, only the second in history by a British monarch, was intended to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence. But the timing of his remarks carried a subtle, diplomatic urgency as he spoke about the need to support European alliances at a time of “great uncertainty.”

“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, and that we ignore the clarion calls to become ever more inward-looking,” the king told the room.

He emphasized that “America’s words carry weight and meaning” and that the United States’ actions “matter even more,” remarks that drew affirmations from the crowd.

In prepared remarks, the king called on Republican leaders to support Ukraine and to maintain America’s commitment to NATO, which President Trump has repeatedly derided and threatened to leave.

“From the depths of the Atlantic to the disastrously melting ice caps of the Arctic, the commitment and expertise of the United States armed forces and its allies lie at the heart of NATO, pledged to each other’s defense, protecting our citizens and interests, keeping North Americans and Europeans safe from our common adversaries,” he said.

The king reminded Congress that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization came to the assistance of the United States in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and said the same “unyielding resolve” should be extended to Ukraine to be able to “secure a truly just and lasting peace.”

Vice President JD Vance, who was seated behind the king, stood up and applauded in response to the call to support Ukraine.

How those comments will play out in Washington remains to be seen. Trump seemed to take issue with remarks by Prince Harry that the United States should do more to help Ukraine, with the president telling a reporter that the king’s son “is not speaking for the U.K.”

The king did not directly address the tensions between Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the United States’ war with Iran. Trump has clashed with the British government over its refusal to commit its defense forces to the conflict and had mocked the Royal Navy’s battleships as “toys.”

While Trump’s criticism were not addressed directly, the king did speak about his pride in the British defense forces, especially the Royal Navy.

“I served with immense pride in the Royal Navy, following in the naval footsteps of my father, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh; my grandfather, King George VI; my great-uncle, Lord Mountbatten; and my great-grandfather, King George V,” he said.

The king also noted that conflicts in Europe and the Middle East “pose immense challenges for the international community,” and emphasized the need to work together.

“The challenges we face are too great for any one nation to bear alone,” he said.

The king, who has long advocated for the environment and conservation, made a case for doing more for the environment in the future.

“As we look toward the next 250 years, we must also reflect on our shared responsibility to safeguard nature, our most precious and irreplaceable asset,” he said, adding that climate action is key for “our prosperity and our national security.”

Continue/Read Original Article: Charles calls for rededication to unity amid strain in U.S.-U.K. ties – Los Angeles Times