**King Charles Makes Historic Address to U.S. Congress During State Visit**
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/king-charles-congress-042826-1-f7e89ab7429e4b2eb5083d33738d7fb4.jpg)
On April 28, 2026, King Charles became only the second British monarch to address a joint session of the United States Congress, following in the footsteps of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II. This significant event occurred during the monarch’s state visit to the U.S., accompanied by Queen Camilla, as the nation marked 250 years of independence.
In his speech, delivered shortly after arriving in Washington, D.C., the King expressed his solidarity with the nation in wake of a recent violent incident outside the White House. A Secret Service officer was shot during a disturbance, and a suspect was subsequently charged with attempted assassination of the president. King Charles responded to this troubling event with a firm message, stating, “We meet, too, in the aftermath of the incident not far from this great building that sought to harm the leadership of your nation and to foment wider fear and discord. Let me say with unshakeable resolve: such acts of violence will never succeed.”
Reiterating themes of unity in times of strife, the King remarked, “Whatever our differences, whatever disagreements we may have, we stand united in our commitment to uphold democracy, to protect all our people from harm, and to salute the courage of those who daily risk their lives in the service of our countries.”
King Charles’ visit is particularly poignant as he is a direct descendant of King George III, who reigned during the American Revolutionary War. The King did not shy away from this historical context, joking, “King George never set foot in America and, please rest assured, I am not here as part of some cunning rearguard action.”
He acknowledged the boldness of the Founding Fathers in forming the United States, stating, “Two hundred and fifty years ago, they declared independence…by balancing contending forces and drawing strength in diversity, they united 13 disparate colonies to forge a nation on the revolutionary idea of ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.’”
King Charles also made comparisons between his late mother’s address to Congress, which took place on May 16, 1991, and the current global landscape. Queen Elizabeth spoke of the enduring spirit of democracy, warning against the illusion that power can stem from violence. Today, King Charles indicated that the world is even more perilous than the time of his mother’s speech, noting, “The challenges we face are too great for any one nation to bear alone.”
He emphasised the importance of maintaining and strengthening the partnership between the U.S. and the U.K. He quoted Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s recent remarks that their alliance is “indispensable” and must not take its past achievements for granted. “Instead, we must build on it,” the King asserted.
Concluding his address, King Charles highlighted the historical relationship between the U.K. and the U.S. as one of “reconciliation, renewal and remarkable partnership.” He reflected on the divisions of 250 years ago and the friendship that has emerged since then, declaring, “I pray with all my heart that our alliance will continue to defend our shared values…and that we ignore the clarion calls to become ever more inward-looking.”
He closed by offering a heartfelt tribute to the United States on its milestone anniversary: “And so, to the United States of America, on your 250th birthday, let our two countries rededicate ourselves to each other in the selfless service of our peoples and of all the peoples of the world. God bless the United States and the United Kingdom.”
Following the address, the King and Queen Camilla engaged in a series of state visits and events across the country, including plans for a state dinner at the White House that evening. The couple’s itinerary also includes a visit to New York City, where they will honour the victims of the 9/11 attacks and participate in a reception for The King’s Trust.
Further along in their tour, the royal couple will journey to Virginia, where they are expected to meet with local residents and observe performances by Appalachian cultural groups. As part of their efforts to celebrate America’s anniversary, they will also attend a “block party” held in a national park.
After completing their engagements in the U.S., King Charles will head to Bermuda, marking his first official visit to an overseas British territory as monarch. This trip encapsulates not just a continuation of the historical relationship between the two nations, but also a commitment to addressing contemporary issues together.