Britain’s King Charles III, on a state visit to the United States, used a joint meeting of Congress on April 28 (local time) to underscore the alliance and friendship between the two countries, citing shared history and democratic values.
According to The New York Times and other foreign media, Charles described the relationship as a “partnership born in conflict.” He noted that Britain and the United States once had a fundamental disagreement over the principle of “no taxation without representation,” but said the idea reflects democratic values the United States inherited from Britain. Foreign outlets said the remarks amounted to a reminder that, despite recent friction over issues including the Iran war, the relationship remains rooted in a close alliance.
Charles did not directly mention tensions between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Donald Trump. Instead, he pointed to Britain’s support after the Sept. 11 attacks and its participation in the Afghanistan war. He said that when NATO invoked Article 5 for the first time after 9/11 — treating an attack on one member as an attack on all and obligating support — “we answered (America’s) call,” as Britain has done for more than a century.
Politico interpreted the passage as a carefully aimed rebuff to Trump and pro-Trump forces in Congress. Trump has criticized European allies, including Britain, for not joining the Iran war, saying the United States spent trillions of dollars and did not receive adequate help. Charles also appealed for support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia.
On trade, Charles struck a reciprocal tone. He said annual bilateral trade worth $430 billion continues to grow, and he praised $1.7 trillion in mutual investment that he said drives innovation and has created millions of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. He called it a strong foundation that can be expanded.
Charles also quoted a line Trump used during a state visit to Britain last year: “The bonds of kinship and identity between America and the United Kingdom are priceless and everlasting. They are irreplaceable and unbreakable.” Charles noted that the trip was his 20th visit to the United States and his first as king, and he expressed affection for Americans.
The speech drew praise from some observers. James Lyons, a former communications chief at Starmer’s office, told Politico that the royal family is like “the Heineken of British diplomacy,” saying it can reach places diplomats cannot. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., wrote on social media platform X that it was a “perfect speech” blending wit, humor and history, adding that it felt unusual but welcome to sense a divided Congress coming together.
Charles has been viewed as a monarch who reigns but does not rule, while playing a behind-the-scenes role in advancing the national interests of Britain and Commonwealth countries. The NYT reported that in January, after Trump said NATO personnel including Britons stayed only in the rear during the Afghanistan war, Britain reacted with unease, noting it lost 457 service members. The report said the palace conveyed Charles’ concerns to the White House, which later issued a clarifying statement. The NYT also said that after Trump remarked in March last year that the United States should absorb Canada, Charles visited Canada in May that year and signaled support.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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