Royal address to Congress reaffirms transatlantic alliance despite diplomatic friction
The monarch's message of shared values and security contrasts with ongoing disagreements between London and Washington over Iran, tariffs, and the Falkland Islands.
King Charles III is scheduled to deliver a historic address to a joint session of the US Congress on Tuesday, marking the second time a British sovereign has spoken to the body since Queen Elizabeth II in 1991. The speech, expected to last approximately twenty minutes, aims to promote unity between the United Kingdom and the United States while defending the enduring nature of their partnership.
The address, which will be written on the advice of the British government yet retains much of the King's own language and tone, emphasises shared values and international security. Sources indicate the monarch intends to describe the bilateral partnership as one of the greatest alliances in human history, noting that the two nations have consistently found ways to come together despite periodic differences.
The timing of the engagement occurs against a backdrop of significant diplomatic friction between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump. Key points of contention include the war in Iran, where Trump has criticised Britain for declining to support an offensive, as well as disputes regarding tariffs and the Falkland Islands.
Despite these widening political tensions, the state visit proceeds as planned. Buckingham Palace confirmed the itinerary continues following a shooting incident at a White House dinner attended by President Trump prior to the royal couple's arrival. The visit, the first by a British monarch in two decades, coincides with the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence.
Beyond the Congress speech, the itinerary includes a commemoration of the September 11 attacks in New York City on Wednesday and a conservation-focused event in Virginia on Thursday. While there have been calls from Capitol Hill for the King to meet victims of Jeffrey Epstein, there is no indication such a meeting will take place, particularly given recent developments involving his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
The King's message seeks to steer clear of the immediate political rifts between the two governments while underscoring deep ties forged over the last 250 years. The event serves as a central pillar of the four-day tour, intended to shore up the transatlantic relationship even as disagreements persist over trade and foreign policy.
