King Charles III of Britain affirmed before the US Congress on Tuesday that the partnership between Europe and America is more important than ever before. The speech came in the context of a four-day state visit he is making with his wife, Queen Camilla, to the United States. It aims to emphasize the close relations between Britain and its former colony over the 250 years since independence.

Published on: 04/28/2026 - 17:46 Last updated: 04/28/2026 - 22:37

At a time when differences between the two countries increased due to the war in Iran, King Charles III of Britain delivered a speech before the US Congress on Tuesday, during which he focused on the importance of uniting Europe and the United States “more than ever before.”

The king said that the "firm resolve" that emerged after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States "is required to defend Ukraine and its brave people... in order to achieve a just and lasting peace."

He added, "Whatever our differences, whatever our differences, we stand united in our commitment to support democracy, protect all of our people from harm, and praise the courage of those who risk their lives daily in the service of our country."

This came during a rare speech, in the context of a four-day state visit he is conducting with his wife, Queen Camilla, to the United States with the aim of emphasizing the close relations between Britain and its former colony over 250 years since independence, which has been known over the past decades as the “special relationship.”

The King avoided delving into the sharp political differences between President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, but he will emphasize the common values ​​between their two countries, which are a commitment to promoting peace, empathy and democracy, in addition to protecting the environment and religious freedoms.

The long-planned visit came amid tension over the US-Israeli war on Iran, after Trump criticized Britain for refusing to support the attack, and after an internal email from the US Department of Defense (the Pentagon) indicated the possibility of Washington reviewing its support for Britain’s claim to sovereignty over the Falkland Islands.

Charles's speech is the second of its kind delivered by a British king before the US Congress, after his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, did the same in 1991.

France 24/Reuters

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