‘America’s words carry weight’: King urges US to spurn isolationism in landmark address

Washington: King Charles III and President Donald Trump recommitted themselves to the “remarkable partnership” between the United Kingdom and United States during a historic state visit that comes at a sensitive moment in the transatlantic alliance.

In the first address to a joint sitting of Congress by a British monarch since his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, 35 years ago, Charles praised the “truly unique” pact between the two countries, while acknowledging the need for renewal and gently reminding Trump that America’s words and actions matter.

At a time when Trump has flirted with withdrawing the US from the NATO alliance with Europe, or reducing American troops stationed on the continent, the 77-year-old King noted Europe stood with the US after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks – the first and only time NATO’s Article 5 was invoked.

He said Britain was embarking on its biggest increase in defence spending since the Cold War, and repeated his endorsement of the AUKUS agreement between Australia, the US and UK – adding that he was proud to serve as Australia’s sovereign.

“We do not embark on these remarkable endeavours together out of sentiment,” Charles said. “We do so because they build greater shared resilience for the future, so making our citizens safer for generations to come.”

His mention of AUKUS prompted a standing ovation from most senators and members of Congress on the floor of the House of Representatives, led by Democrat and co-chair of the Friends of Australia caucus Joe Courtney.

Amid wavering from Trump, the King also called for sustained support of Ukraine and “her most courageous people”, stressing the importance of a “truly just and lasting peace”.

He warned that the world ignored the collapse of critical natural systems at its peril – a reflection on the threat posed by climate change that saw Democrats rise to their feet and most Republicans remain seated.

And he urged more co-operation, not less, saying the alliance must “ignore the clarion calls to become ever more inward-looking.

“America’s words carry weight and meaning, as they have since independence,” Charles said.

“The actions of this great nation matter even more. President Lincoln understood this so well, with his reflection in the magisterial Gettysburg Address that the world may little note what we say, but will never forget what we do.”

The King was warmly received at the joint sitting, which, in addition to both chambers of Congress, included several Trump cabinet secretaries, the president’s top military adviser and a former US Supreme Court justice.

The royal visit comes at a sensitive time for US-UK relations after Trump turned against British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over his reluctance to participate in the war against Iran.

A potentially explosive report in The Financial Times on Tuesday (US time) revealed British ambassador to the US Christian Turner had told a group of British students that Israel was actually the country with which the US had a special relationship.

“I think there is probably one country that has a special relationship with the United States – and that is probably Israel,” Turner told the students in February, according to a recording obtained by the newspaper.

He also said it was “extraordinary” that the Jeffrey Epstein scandal has not had further ramifications in the US, compared to the UK where it brought down his predecessor as ambassador, Peter Mandelson, and is doing severe damage to Starmer, who appointed Mandelson.

A British foreign office spokesperson said Turner made private, informal comments to a group of year six students visiting the US, and they were “certainly not any reflection of the UK government’s position”.

Before the King’s address to Congress, Turner was among the guests seated in the front row at a White House welcoming ceremony, where Trump spoke glowingly of the relationship between “the two most exceptional nations the world has ever known”.

The president said America had “no closer friend than the British”, citing their shared history, language and values, as he praised Charles for his thoughtfulness and public service.

“His Majesty’s intellect, passion and devotion have long been a blessing to the British people – not only to his own country, but to the cherished bond between the United States and the United Kingdom,” Trump said. “I am very certain that it will continue that way long into the future.”

The short speech followed a lavish welcome ceremony on a wet South Lawn of the White House, after which the two men sat down for a bilateral meeting.

The royals were treated to English weather for their first full day of their US trip, with a light rain falling during the official greeting ceremony at the White House.

Dignitaries seated on either sides of the lawn held umbrellas while the president’s Marine Band played for about 20 minutes before the Trumps emerged from the South Portico to receive Charles and Camilla, who arrived in a black BMW from Blair House shortly before 11am.

Charles then shook hands with US officials in the front row – Vice President JD Vance, cabinet secretaries Marco Rubio, Scott Bessent, Pete Hegseth, Howard Lutnick and White House chief-of-staff Susie Wiles – while Trump shook hands with the British delegation, including Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Turner, the ambassador.

National anthems God Save the King and The Star-Spangled Banner played amid cannon fire, before Trump walked Charles through a military guard of honour. After they returned to the dais, Trump stood awkwardly behind the podium for several minutes as the band finished playing.

“What a beautiful British day this is,” he began, to laughter from the large crowd gathered on the lawn. “And it really is.”

While Trump’s speech focused on the two nations’ enduring bond, it also contained several moments of levity, including when he spoke about his late mother Mary MacLeod’s admiration for Queen Elizabeth II and her eldest son, Charles.

“My mother would be glued to the television, and she’d say, ‘Look Donald, look how beautiful that is,’” Trump said of watching royal ceremonies when he was much younger.

“I also remember her saying, very clearly, ‘Young Charles, he’s so cute’. My mother had a crush on Charles. Can you believe it?”

Trump also told the King his much-anticipated speech to the US Congress was “going to make everybody very envious of that beautiful accent of yours”.

Following the ceremony, the four walked up the stairs of the South Portico, and Trump and Charles chatted as they stood on the balcony and awaited a military flyover by four F-35 fighter jets. Camilla and first lady Melania Trump stood at their respective husbands’ sides.

The first lady wore a white silk and wool jacket and shirt by Ralph Lauren Collection, with a straw hat by Eric Javits and Manolo Blahnik pumps. Camilla wore a pale green coat dress with matching hat, adorned with the Cullinan V Diamond brooch.

As an official gift, the king will give the president a framed facsimile of the 1879 design plans for the Resolute Desk in the White House, the originals of which are held in London’s National Maritime Museum.

The president, meanwhile, gave the king a custom facsimile of a letter written in 1785 by John Adams, the first US ambassador to Britain, to American statesman John Jay.

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