King Charles calls for Nato unity and support for Ukraine in address to US Congress

LAST UPDATE | 13 hrs ago

BRITAIN’S KING CHARLES III has urged the United States to stand firm with its Western allies in an historic address to the joint houses of Congress. 

In his speech, the monarch skirted around tensions between US president Donald Trump and British prime minister Keir Starmer, insisting the partnership between the two countries was “born out of dispute, but no less strong for it.”

He also spoke of the importance of Nato, the value of European partners and the need to reduce world conflicts. 

It is the second day of the state visit, which King Charles and Queen Camilla are officially making to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence. However, Downing Street hopes it will improve relations between both governments, which have waned since  Britain’s refusal to get involved with the US and Israel’s war on Iran. 

Addressing politicians this evening, Charles pointed to shared democratic traditions, describing Congress as a “citadel of democracy” and stressing the common legal roots of the two nations.

He noted that Magna Carta had been cited in more than 160 US Supreme Court cases, highlighting – to rapt applause from the opposition Democrats – the principle that executive power is subject to checks and balances.

He also emphasised deep defence and economic ties, saying cooperation in security, technology and trade remains central to the alliance.

He condemned the attempted assassination of Trump at a Washington media dinner on Saturday evening, saying: “Let me say with unshakeable resolve: such acts of violence will never succeed.

“Whatever our differences, whatever disagreements we may have, we stand united in our commitment to uphold democracy, to protect all our people from harm, and to salute the courage of those who daily risk their lives in the service of our countries.”

It was also notable that Charles noted that the only time Nato mobilised in defence of one of its member states was after the US was attacked on 11 September 2001.

He said the UK and US were “united in the face of terror” and “answered the call together, as our people have done so for more than a century, shoulder to shoulder”.

Trump has repeatedly questioned whether Nato allies would “be there for us if we really needed them”, notably amid threats to seize Greenland earlier this year, and criticised as European powers who last month ruled out a Nato mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz amid the Iran war.

Charles went on to stress that “unyielding resolve” was needed to secure a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine, which has been fighting a full-scale invasion by Russia since 2022.

It was notable during this moment that a number of members on the Republican side of the chamber did not rise to their feet with others and clap. 

There were murmurs of approval from a number of Democrats when he finally told the chamber:

America’s words carry weight and meaning, as they have since Independence. The actions of this great nation matter even more.

There were 12 brief standing ovations during the speech, with politicians also standing and applauding for a few minutes when he first arrived and made his way to the lectern with Camilla. 

A Buckingham Palaces spokesperson said: “The King was deeply honoured to have been invited to be the first British king to give such an address and was greatly touched by the warmth and generosity of the response he received.”

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He is the first British king to address Congress, and only the second British monarch in history. His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, did it in 1991. 

‘He’s so cute’

Earlier today, Trump joked that his late mother once had a “crush” on Charles during a formal welcome ceremony at the White House.

Speaking on the South Lawn of the White House alongside the royal couple, Trump recalled how his Scottish-born mother was “glued to the television” during royal events, referring to the royal family as “beautiful”.

“She really did love the family,” Trump said.

“I also remember her saying, ‘Charles, young Charles, he’s so cute’.”

Turning to the king, Trump added: “My mother had a crush on Charles. Can you believe it?”

The comment prompted a laugh from attendees and a slightly awkward wave from Charles.

“I wonder what she’s thinking right now,” Trump added.

The comments came during a highly choreographed state visit featuring a 21-gun salute, military band and flypast, as both sides sought to emphasise the long-standing “special relationship” between the US and UK despite recent political tensions.

“In the centuries since we won our independence, Americans have had no closer friends than the British,” Trump said, referring to the fact that the royal visit marks the 250th anniversary of the US colonies declaring their freedom from British rule.

Using a phrase prized by British governments since Winston Churchill first used it after World War II, Trump said that the two countries had a “special relationship, and we hope it will always remain that way.”

Trump also praised the British military, saying that “nobody fought better together” with the United States, despite recently deriding Britain’s two aircraft carriers as “toys.”

Afterward, four US jets roared over the White House in a noisy flypast as Trump, Charles, Camilla and Melania watched.

Moments earlier, Trump had been reflecting on his mother’s roots in Scotland’s Hebrides, which he described as “real, serious Scotland”, before turning to his parents’ 63-year marriage.

Gesturing towards Melania, he joked that it was a milestone they were unlikely to reach.

“That’s a record we won’t be able to match, darling,” Trump said. “We’ll do well, but we’re not going to do that well, 63 years.”

The couple married in 2005, and Trump is 79 years old.

With reporting from Jane Moore

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