Watch: King Charles’s praise of checks on executive power brings Congress to its feet
King Charles received a standing ovation from US Congress during his speech on 28 April 2026, where he praised the system of checks and balances rooted in the Magna Carta. He highlighted the historical influence of the 1215 charter on American constitutional principles, particularly its role in limiting executive power. His remarks underscored shared democratic values between the UK and the US. The speech was part of a broader state visit drawing significant attention.
- ▪King Charles addressed a joint session of US Congress on 28 April 2026, earning a standing ovation.
- ▪He emphasized the importance of checks and balances in democratic governance, tracing the concept to the Magna Carta of 1215.
- ▪The Magna Carta has been cited in at least 160 US Supreme Court cases since 1789, according to the US Supreme Court Historical Society.
- ▪His speech highlighted the foundational role of the Magna Carta in constraining executive authority in both British and American legal traditions.
- ▪The visit included several high-profile moments, including interactions with President Trump and remarks on shared democratic heritage.
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Independent TVShowing now | News00:47Holly Patrick Tuesday 28 April 2026 21:14 BSTBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/king-charles-magna-carta-trump-video-b2966725.html","title":"King’s praise of checks on executive power brings Congress to its feet"}}Watch: King Charles’s praise of checks on executive power brings Congress to its feetKing Charles's praise of "checks and balances" on executive power received a huge round of applause during his historic speech to the US Congress on Tuesday (28 April).His Majesty received a standing ovation from lawmakers in the chambers as he…
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