King Charles to deliver major speech urging UK and US to come together | Royal | News

The King’s speech to Congress today will reaffirm the UK and US’s shared democratic values, woven deep into the fabric of both nations over the past 250 years. He will open the address by referencing the events of Saturday evening, in a spirit of solidarity, sympathy and support, as he brings “the highest regard and friendship of the British people to the people of the United States” in this landmark anniversary year.

The bulk of His Majesty’s speech, written on the advice of the Government, will reflect the great challenges, both nationally and internationally, that we currently face. It will be seen as a tacit acknowledgement of recent tensions over the Iran war, as the King tells both houses that “time and again, our two countries have always found ways to come together”.

It comes after US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer‘s public fallout on the Iran war, with the President making belittling comments about his UK counterpart, extending to Britain’s military capabilities.

Other themes that will be touched upon in the 20-minute speech will be the importance of trade and technology, the environment and the King’s own faith.

Charles will also reflect on his own service in the Royal Navy, despite President Trump’s dismissal of the UK’s naval capabilities, referring to its aircraft carriers as “toys”, adding that “our defence, intelligence and security ties are measured not in years but in decades”.

The King is expected to conclude by noting that the story of our two nations over the last 250 years is one of “reconciliation and renewal”, giving rise to “one of the greatest alliances in human history” – an alliance which His Majesty hopes and prays will continue to protect and celebrate the values he has referenced, long into the future.

It is only the second time a British monarch has addressed a joint meeting of Congress, the first being the late Queen Elizabeth in 1991.

In a nod to recent tensions, Charles will 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 the Magna Carta – are such that “time and again, our two countries have always found ways to come together”.

He is also set to 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”.

It comes after the King and Queen kicked off their four-day state visit to the US yesterday by taking tea with the US President and First Lady and attending a Garden Party celebrating the 250th anniversary of American Independence.

Having left RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire on Monday morning as planned, Charles and Camilla were greeted by military fanfare as they disembarked their UK Government plane at Joint Base Andrews airbase.

The royal couple were handed posies from children of British military families based in the US before being greeted by a large welcoming party of diplomatic, federal and state representatives, including British Ambassador to the US, Sir Christian Turner.

The King and Queen then walked through an honour cordon, a formal ceremonial guard, formed by US personnel as a military band played the two countries’ national anthems.

Having been driven straight from the airport to Blair House, which is located inside the White House security cordon, for a quick refresh, the King and Queen were then driven to the outside of the iconic semicircular South Portico.

Mr and Mrs Trump, wearing a butter yellow skirt suit stood at the end of a red carpet waiting to greet their guests. The President bowed his head and stepped forward to greet the King, beaming from ear to ear, while the First Lady bent down to kiss the Queen on either cheek.

Camilla, who had changed into a white chiffon dress with black beaded embroidery by Anna Valentine, then walked over to Mr Trump, who warmly shook her hand, and the King greeted the First Lady with two kisses.

The four then chatted amiably as they posed for photos, before the President invited the couple to head inside, placing a hand on the King’s arm as they turned to walk out of the bright sunshine.

After catching up over a brew, the President then led the party over to the White House beehives, in a nod to the King’s love of apiculture. The monarch has long kept hives at his homes, including Highgrove House, Clarence House and Buckingham Palace.

Formally established in 2009, the beekeeping programme at the White House supports the pollination of nearby gardens while serving as an enduring feature of the grounds. The First Lady recently unveiled a newly installed beehive on the South Lawn, crafted in the shape of the White House and housing two new bee colonies, which Their Majesties viewed with admiration.

Wrapping up the first day of their four-day trip, the King and Queen mingled with guests at a special Garden Party at the British Ambassador’s Residence, which first hosted such an event for Charles’s grandfather, King George VI, in June 1939.

Outside, the King and Queen joined over 600 guests from politics, science and sustainability to charities tackling domestic abuse, community organisations and the creative industries across the US.

The state visit has been billed as a huge honour for both the King and the UK, as it marks the first official state visit of the second Trump administration. But it is also considered the most important foreign trip of the King’s reign so far, now with heightened security concerns.

The president and his top team are said to be excited by the visit, with UK officials not expecting any controversy during the four-day trip.

Highlights of the trip include Charles’ address to both houses of Congress, a glitzy state dinner at the White House and the royal couple commemorating the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks that brought down New York’s Twin Towers.