King Charles III spoke before the United States Congress this Tuesday, April 28. The monarch began his speech after 7 p.m. GMT with a condemnation of the attack at Donald Trump's dinner with journalists. The king stressed unity between the US and the UK, amid growing differences between London and Washington. Charles and Queen Camilla are on a four-day tour of the US that, so far, has been carefully apolitical.
First modification: 04/28/2026 - 14:59 Last modification: 04/29/2026 - 03:51
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King Charles III addressed the US Congress on Tuesday, April 28, with a message of unity between the United Kingdom and the United States, promoting the "special relationship" at a time of disagreement between the British Government and US President Donald Trump over the US and Israel's war against Iran.
Charles and Queen Camilla are on a four-day state visit, staying clear of the political fissures between Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer while underlining the deep ties forged over 250 years.
Read alsoCarlos III arrives in the US despite the shooting in Washington and at a low moment in relations
The king's speech was the second by a British sovereign to the US Congress, after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, spoke before both chambers in 1991. It is the centerpiece event of the state visit, the highest profile of Charles's reign, and will be followed by a state dinner on Tuesday evening.
Although it was written under the advice of the British government, much of the language and tone comes from Charles himself, according to a palace source.
His central message focused on the challenges facing both nations, underscoring that both can promote international security and prosperity by upholding their shared values. "Time and time again, our two countries have always found ways to come together," the king said, describing the partnership as "one of the greatest alliances in human history."
"As President Trump himself observed during his state visit to Great Britain last fall: the bond of kinship and identity between the United States and the United Kingdom is invaluable and eternal. It is irreplaceable and unbreakable," he declared in his speech on Capitol Hill.
Trump, a fervent admirer of the British royal family who often calls Charles a "great man," has nevertheless clashed with the Starmer government. The prime minister hopes the visit will strengthen the transatlantic relationship, which has been strained in recent months.
The long-planned visit takes place in a context of tensions over the war against Iran, after Trump criticized the United Kingdom for refusing to support the offensive.
Although Trump has softened his criticism recently, an internal Pentagon email detailing how Washington could review its position on Britain's claim to the Falkland Islands has raised concerns across the Atlantic.
Trump has also imposed tariffs on the United Kingdom and warned of additional levies, despite a Supreme Court ruling earlier this year making such unilateral moves difficult. Last week, Trump threatened a "big tariff" if the U.K. doesn't remove a tax on digital services from U.S. tech companies.
The visit began on Monday when Charles and Camilla met with Trump and the first lady, Melania Trump, for a private tea at the White House, followed by a reception at the British ambassador's residence. On Wednesday, the monarchs will be in New York to commemorate the victims of the attacks of September 11, 2001, and the trip will conclude in Virginia on Thursday.
Carlos had faced some calls on Capitol Hill to meet with victims of Jeffrey Epstein during his stay. There is no indication he will do so, even as the disgraced financier's scandal has reached his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, arrested in February over allegations of inappropriate conduct which he denies.
The White House publishes a photo of Trump and Charles III with the message "two kings"
On the same Tuesday, the White House shared an image of Trump next to the British monarch, accompanied by the legend "two kings", which generated criticism on social networks.
In the image, Trump and Carlos III appear in one of the gardens of the White House during the military ceremony with which he welcomed the monarch, in the first state visit since his return to the executive in 2025.
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"Two kings," the White House titled the image published on its official X account, where both leaders appear smiling and greeting.
With AFP and EFE
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