WASHINGTON — Britain's King Charles arrived at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday for a rare speech to Congress that will underscore the importance of unity and the need to defend democratic values at a time of deep divisions between the two longtime allies over the war with Iran.
Charles met with top Republican and Democratic lawmakers after a morning visit to the White House with Queen Camilla that included a closed-door meeting between the king and President Donald Trump. The events are part of a four-day state visit to the U.S. designed to underscore ties forged between Britain and its former colony over the 250 years since American independence.
The king, who was scheduled to speak to members of the House of Representatives and Senate at 3 p.m. EDT, will be the second British sovereign to address the U.S. Congress. His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, spoke to both houses in 1991.
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From left, Queen Camilla, first lady Melania Trump, King Charles III and U.S. President Donald Trump stand Tuesday during an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington.
Trump underscores friendship
During a ceremonial outdoor reception at the White House, Trump stressed the friendship that has evolved between Britons and Americans since their days as adversaries during the War of Independence and the "wounds of war" it caused.
"The soldiers who once called each other Red Coats and Yankees became the Tommies and the GIs who together saved the free world as brothers in arms and brothers in eternity," the president said in a reference to WWII as hundreds of guests gathered on the South Lawn with the Washington Monument in the distance.
The remarks came after Trump severely criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his government over their response to the Iran war.
The president said Starmer, who has won some plaudits at home for not joining the offensive, was no Winston Churchill, while he belittled a later offer of military assistance to defend allies in the region.
Britain's King Charles III shakes hands with Senate Majority Leader John Thune on Tuesday as House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stand ahead of a Joint Meeting of Congress in the House Chamber at the US Capitol in Washington.
In his remarks to Congress, Charles is expected to steer clear of the political acrimony between Trump and Starmer but underline their countries' shared values as the duty to promote peace, compassion and democracy, while protecting the environment and religious freedom.
A palace source said that, despite the periodic differences in the two countries' relationship, the king will say: "Time and again, our two countries have always found ways to come together."
Addresses to joint meetings of Congress are generally reserved for the closest U.S. allies or major world figures. The last was by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in July 2024.
The long-planned visit has unfolded against tensions over the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. An internal Pentagon email suggested Washington could review its support for Britain's claim to the Falkland Islands.
The Financial Times reported on Tuesday that Britain's ambassador to Washington, Christian Turner, said the only "special relationship" the U.S. has is with "probably Israel" and that he disliked the phrase because it is "quite nostalgic" and it has a "lot of baggage about it."
Asked about the report, a foreign office spokesperson said Turner was making "private, informal comments" to a group of teenage British students who visited the U.S. in early February.
"They are certainly not any reflection of the UK government’s position,” the spokesperson said.
Britain's King Charles and House Speaker Mike Johnson walk through Statuary Hall on Tuesday before a joint meeting of Congress in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington.
NATO, Ukraine
The Congress speech was scheduled to last about 20 minutes, the palace source said. It will focus on how the two nations' alliance can benefit global security and prosperity, but also voice some caution about the U.S. going it alone, and refer to NATO and Ukraine.
Trump's administration repeatedly criticized many of the U.S.-led military alliance's other members for not offering more assistance to U.S. operations against Iran and pressed European countries into sharing more of the financial burden for supporting Ukraine against Russia's invasion.
Charles is also expected to reference the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on Saturday.
Britain's King Charles III and U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson look on Tuesday during a meeting with Congressional leadership prior to a Joint Meeting of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington.
Tuesday night's state dinner will be the first at the White House since Trump had the East Wing torn down to make way for his planned ballroom. The East Wing for decades has been the official entrance for guests arriving for state dinners and other functions, and with the area now a construction zone, they will have to take a different route into the building.
Charles presented Trump with a framed facsimile of the 1879 design plans for the president's Resolute Desk, the originals of which are in the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London.
The Resolute Desk, located in the Oval Office, was created from the timbers of the British exploration ship H.M.S. Resolute and presented to President Rutherford B. Hayes by Queen Victoria.
Trump gave the king a facsimile of a 1785 letter by John Adams, describing his reception by King George III as the first U.S. ambassador to Britain at St. James's Palace and their mutual pledges of friendship following American independence.
