King Charles III delivered a historic address to the US Congress, calling on America to continue its global leadership role. The monarch stressed the importance of NATO and demanded "unyielding resolve" in defending Ukraine against Russian aggression.
Speaking at the Capitol, Charles appealed to the shared heritage between the United Kingdom and the United States, invoking the cultural, religious, and principled foundations that led to America's Declaration of Independence. He argued that preserving the transatlantic alliance is essential in a time of geopolitical turmoil.
The speech occurs amid a tense public dispute between President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with diplomatic relations between the two nations at their lowest point in decades. Charles's remarks implicitly pushed back against isolationist sentiment within the US, advocating for continued cooperation on security and democracy.
In a direct appeal to lawmakers, the king urged Congress to remember that America's words and actions carry weight worldwide, and that retreating from the international stage would have profound consequences.