Vice President JD Vance greets King Charles III at the White House./Image: Video screenshot CSPAN
Beginning at 3:00 pm ET, King Charles III will address a joint meeting of Congress. This is only the second time in history that a British monarch has addressed the U.S. Congress. The first was his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on May 16, 1991, during the Gulf War era.
The speech is deliberately timed to help mark America’s 250th anniversary (Semiquincentennial) of independence in 2026 and symbolizes reconciliation between the United States and its former colonial ruler, turning a historic conflict into one of the world’s strongest alliances.
Additionally, the address comes during a time of strained relations between the U.S. and U.K., exacerbated by Iran policy and the strain between the Trump administration and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
King Charles is expected to emphasize the enduring “Special Relationship” between the U.S. and U.K., the shared democratic values of the two nations, and a theme of “reconciliation and renewal” over the past 250 years, highlighting the alliance as “one of the greatest in human history.”
The visit and planned remarks show a high-profile act of soft diplomacy by the British monarchy, transcending day-to-day politics and aiming to reinforce the transatlantic alliance at a moment when global partnerships are being tested.
The King and Queen will then be guests of honor at a State Dinner.
Watch here:
During his remarks Tuesday morning from the South Lawn of the White House, President Trump shared, “In a few hours, His Majesty will stand in the heart of the United States Capitol as the very first British King ever to address a joint session of the United States Congress. So he’s going to be addressing Congress, and I’m going to be watching.”
“I was thinking of going, but they said, ‘I don’t know. That might be a step too far.’ I would love to go. It’s not supposed to be protocol, but I would love to be with you.
“But there, the direct descendant of King George III will speak to the direct successor of the very body that gathered in Independence Hall on July 4th, 1776.”
“If John Adams and George Washington, or the King’s fifth great-grandfather, could see that sight, they might be absolutely shocked.”
“But probably only for a moment. Surely they would be delighted that the wounds of war healed into the most cherished friendship. Think of that very, very long-ago, difficult war. And yet, those wounds did indeed heal into the most cherished of friendships. Most cherished.”
“They would be moved beyond words to know that the Soldiers who once called each other Redcoats and Yankees became the Tommies and the GIs who together saved the free world as brothers in arms and brothers in eternity. And nobody fought better together than us.”
“If they could see us today, our ancestors would surely be filled with awe and pride that the Anglo-American revolution in human freedom was never, ever extinguished, but carried forward across centuries, across oceans, and across history until it became a fire that lit the entire world.”
“So today, we look back on 250 years. Let us remember what has made our countries the two most exceptional nations the world has ever known.”
“And together, let us go forward with even stronger resolve to carry on our sacred devotion to liberty and to the traditions of excellence that have been our shared gift of all mankind.”
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