King Charles urges U.S. to support NATO and Ukraine, reject isolationism in landmark speech

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The king’s remarks to Congress, however, were more pointed, coming amid growing international concern about the U.S.’s commitment to the post-war order it had helped build. Charles mentioned how the United Nations and NATO had come to America’s defence in the wake of the Sept. 11 terror attacks and cited the U.K.’s “shoulder-to-shoulder” cooperation with the U.S. through two world wars.

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He argued that the partnership between Europe and America was “more important today than it has ever been,” he said. He said that “unyielding resolve is needed for the defence of Ukraine and her most courageous people – in order to secure a truly just and lasting peace,” echoing his remarks to Trump in September.

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King Charles III addresses a Joint Meeting of Congress at the U.S. Capitol during day two of the State Visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the United States on April 28, 2026. Photo by Kylie Cooper-Pool/Getty Images

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Even the king’s nods to history could be received by an American audience as veiled warnings, intentional or not.

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Charles cited the example of Britain’s Magna Carta as giving the U.S. inspiration on how executive authority should be subject to checks and balances. His comment comes amid criticism that the Republican-held Senate and House have too widely deferred to Trump’s sweeping expansion of executive power. Democratic leaders could be seen in the chamber standing and applauding the line.

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Similarly, his exhortation about the need for an independent judiciary stands in contrast to the president’s frequent criticisms of judges and Supreme Court justices who rule against his own wishes.

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While Charles didn’t reference Iran specifically, he cited “times of conflict from Europe to the Middle East,” which he warned poses “immense challenges for the international community and whose impact is felt in communities the length and breadth of our own countries.” Europe is currently grappling with an energy price shock as well as a looming jet fuel crisis that threatens summer air travel.

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Though Republicans at times displayed muted responses — to Charles’ calls on the importance to protect the environment for example — there was overwhelming support for the king with several standing ovations throughout the speech. Republican Whip Tom Emmer said Charles “was well measured and respectful which was nice.” Representative Robert Aderholt said the call to support Ukraine was received well.

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“It’s a message that a lot of people in this chamber needed to hear is that this relationship has benefited us both — that, you know, this is not patronage for one side or the other. This is actually in our self-interest, economically, from a security perspective,” said Representative Jason Crow, a Democrat. “And he did a really nice job of painting that picture.”

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Shortly before Charles’ arrival, the efforts to demonstrate stability suffered a blow when it was reported that the U.K.’s ambassador to the U.S. had played down the status of the relationship between the two countries. The ambassador, Christian Turner, said that the U.S.’s only special relationship was “probably Israel,” the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing a recording of the remarks.

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Queen Camilla, King Charles III, U.S. President Donald Trump and First lady Melania Trump stand on the balcony of the White House during a military flyover during a state arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House on April 28, 2026. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

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The Foreign Office said Turner’s statements weren’t intended for public consumption and did not reflect the government’s official position.

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Charles’ speech to a joint meeting of Congress represents only the second time a British monarch has done so, following Elizabeth’s address in 1991 in which she was greeted with a standing ovation from the American lawmakers assembled at the Capitol.

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Elizabeth in her 1991 speech referenced the Gulf War — though the U.K. government supported that U.S. intervention, unlike the recent conflict in Iran where Britain opted out of aiding the initial strikes.

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The king’s visit has generally been well received by members of both parties in an often-divided Washington.