UK and US always find ways to come together, King Charles to tell Congress

Charles’s speech will be only the second time a British monarch has addressed a joint meeting of Congress. Photograph: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AFP/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenCharles’s speech will be only the second time a British monarch has addressed a joint meeting of Congress. Photograph: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AFP/Getty ImagesKing Charles IIIUK and US always find ways to come together, King Charles to tell CongressMonarch to allude to recent strains in special relationship in speech to both houses during four-day state visitJamie GriersonTue 28 Apr 2026 03.06 EDTLast modified on Tue 28 Apr 2026 03.55 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleKing Charles is expected to allude to recent strains between the UK and US in a rare address by a monarch to the US Congress as he will underline that “time and again our two countries have always found ways to come together”.The king’s remarks in a speech to both houses on Tuesday will come after Donald Trump has threatened to tear up a trade deal signed by the UK and US, mocked the Royal Navy and insulted the UK prime minister.Donald Trump’s anger with the UK and Keir Starmer is largely driven by the latter’s refusal to take part in the US and Israeli offensive against Iran, which continues to destabilise the global economy.Charles and Camilla are in Washington on a four-day state visit to the US to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence from the UK.In his speech, the king is expected to reflect that while the UK and US have not always agreed on all matters over the past 250 years, the foundations of their “democratic, legal and social traditions” – stretching all the way back to Magna Carta – are such that “time and again our two countries have always found ways to come together”.View image in fullscreenDonald Trump and Melania host King Charles III and Queen Camilla for afternoon tea at the White House on day one of their State Visit. Photograph: Pool/SH/WireImageAs Trump threatens to impose “a big tariff” on the UK if it does not drop its digital services tax on US technology companies, Charles will reference the importance of trade and technology deals that will play a vital part in the two countries’ continued economic partnership.The start of the trip – Charles’s first to America as king – has been overshadowed by an assassination attempt against Trump at a Washington media dinner on Saturday night.The monarch is expected to make brief reference to the attack and offer “the highest regard and friendship of the British people to the people of the United States” on the 250th anniversary of American independence.It is only the second time a British monarch has addressed a joint meeting of Congress, after Queen Elizabeth II did so in 1991.The king will point out how the US and UK have stood together through moments that have defined their shared history, and that “our defence, intelligence and security ties are measured not in years but in decades”.As the war on Iran drives up the cost of living around the world, an effect that critics have called “Trumpflation”, Charles is expected to say that by defending and reaffirming their common values and ideals, the US and UK can promote security and prosperity now and in the future for the benefit of the world.View image in fullscreenKing Charlesand Camilla with Donald Trump andMelania Trump alongside a replica beehive at the White House. Photograph: Getty ImagesHe will hail America’s natural wonders and stress how important it…

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