King calls for renewed U.S.-U.K. alliance in visit to Washington

His Majesty stressed the global importance of 'irreplaceable and unbreakable' partnership

Published Apr 28, 2026  •  Last updated 0 minutes ago  •  3 minute read

King Charles III addresses the U.S. Congress as Vice President J.D. Vance (left) and House Speaker Mike Johnson look on. Photo by Getty Images

King Charles III visited Washington D.C. on Tuesday to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump and to address the nation amid waning U.S.-U.K. relations and growing global political turmoil.

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In a speech to U.S. Congress, the body’s first address from a British monarch since Queen Elizabeth II’s in 1991, the King acknowledged the differences between the U.S. and the U.K., but emphasized the two countries’ “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.

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The King’s speech

“Ours is a partnership born out of dispute, but no less strong for it … So perhaps, in this example, we can discern that our nations are in fact instinctively like-minded — a product of the common democratic, legal and social traditions in which our governance is rooted to this day,” the King said, adding the bond was “irreplaceable and unbreakable.”

The King noted the history between the two countries was not always a happy one, but became “one of the most consequential alliances in human history.” He called for the two countries to step away from isolationism.

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“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,” he said. “America’s words carry weight and meaning, as they have since independence.”

King decries ‘acts of violence’

Charles nodded to what law enforcement authorities say was an attempt to assassinate Trump over the weekend when he attended a dinner with members of the White House press corps.

“We meet, too, in the aftermath of the incident not far from this great building that sought to harm the leadership of your Nation and to foment wider fear and discord,” he said. “Let me say with unshakeable resolve: such acts of violence will never succeed.”

The King capped the speech by quoting U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, saying, “the world may little note what we say, but will never forget what we do.”

“And so, to the United States of America, on your 250th birthday,” the King said, “let our two countries rededicate ourselves to each other in the selfless service of our peoples and of all the peoples of the world.”

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U.S. President Donald Trump speaks next to King Charles III during an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House. Photo by Getty Images

Trump welcomes King at the White House

The King began his day at the White House where he and Queen Camilla were warmly welcomed by Trump and the First Lady.

“In the centuries since we won our independence, Americans have had no closer friends than the British,” Trump said. The president called the King a “blessing” to the countries’ relationship and predicted, “I am very certain that it will continue that way long into the future.”

Charles attended a ceremony hosted by Trump on the South Lawn of the White House, which featured an honour guard, military band, cannon salute and a flyover. Trump at times went off-script to praise Charles, recalling how his Scottish-born mother watched the royal as a young man during televised ceremonies.

“My mother had a crush on Charles,” the president said.

Later Tuesday

The King and Queen were to return to the White House on Tuesday night to attend a formal state dinner. The event is part of a four-day state visit that will see the King visit New York to pay respect to the victims on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The visit will wrap up with a few engagements in Virginia to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence.

Guess who’s not coming to dinner

During his royal visit to the U.S., the King has no plans to visit his estranged son Prince Harry, who lives in Montecito, Calif. with his wife, Meghan Markle.

– with files from AFP

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