King Charles to promote British-American unity in rare speech to Congress – The Straits Times

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King Charles and Queen Camilla joining President Donald Trump and wife Melania for a tour of the White House on April 27.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Published Apr 28, 2026, 01:13 PM
Updated Apr 28, 2026, 05:18 PM
WASHINGTON – Britain’s King Charles will press the importance of unity with the United States and the need to defend democratic values in an address to the US Congress on April 28, at a time of deep divisions between the two countries over the war in Iran.
King Charles and Queen Camilla are on a four-day state visit to the US designed to underscore the ties forged between Britain and its former colony over the 250 years since independence, known in recent decades as the “special relationship”.
The King will steer clear of the political acrimony between US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir 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.”
The long-planned visit has unfolded against tensions over the US-Israeli war on Iran, after Mr Trump repeatedly criticised Britain for declining to support the offensive, and after an internal Pentagon e-mail suggested Washington could review its support for Britain’s claim to the Falkland Islands.
The King’s address, scheduled to begin at 3pm local time (April 29, 3am, Singapore time), will be only the second by a British sovereign to the US Congress, after his mother Queen Elizabeth II spoke to both houses in 1991.
It is a central event of the state visit – the most high-profile of the King’s reign – and will be followed by a state dinner on the night of April 28.
The King’s speech is set to last about 20 minutes, the source said.
It will focus on the deep bonds between the two nations and how the alliance can benefit global security and prosperity, but it will also voice some caution about the US going it alone, and refer to NATO and Ukraine.
The Trump administration has repeatedly criticised many of the US-led military alliance’s other members for not offering more assistance to US military operations against Iran, and pressed European countries into sharing more of the financial burden for supporting Ukraine against Russia’s invasion.
The King will also touch on his pride at having served in the Royal Navy and deep defence, intelligence and security ties – ties that have been strained by Mr Trump’s criticism of Britain’s military capabilities.
While written on the advice of the British government, much of the language and tone comes from the King himself, the source added.
The British government hopes the visit will shore up the transatlantic relationship by appealing to Mr Trump, a vocal admirer of the British royal family who often calls King Charles a “great man”.
The King will also reference the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on April 25.
President Donald Trump and wife posing for a picture with King Charles and Queen Camilla on April 27.
PHOTO: REUTERS
The visit began on April 27 when King Charles and Queen Camilla met Mr Trump and wife Melania for a private tea at the White House, followed by a garden party at the British ambassador’s residence, where they mingled with media leaders, Washington socialites and US officials.
On April 29, the royals will be in New York City to commemorate those killed in the attacks of Sept 11, 2001.
The trip concludes in Virginia on April 30 with the King meeting people involved in conservation, reflecting his longstanding environmental advocacy.
He will then travel to Bermuda. REUTERS
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