In speech to Congress, King Charles urges reset of US-UK relations –

King Charles III on Tuesday called on the United States and Britain to renew their long-standing transatlantic alliance, in a speech at a state dinner at the White House hosted by President Donald Trump amid tensions over Iran and Ukraine.Speaking alongside Trump for the first time during his four-day state visit, Charles avoided any direct reference to the rift between the US president and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.But as in his rare address to Congress earlier in the day, the British monarch highlighted a partnership in which “London and Washington have stood together in the best of times and the worst of times.”“Tonight, we are here to renew the indispensable alliance that has long been a cornerstone of prosperity and security for both British and American citizens,” Charles said.The lavish dinner menu included garden vegetables, spring herb ravioli, and Dover sole meunière, followed by house white honey and vanilla bean. Invited guests included Apple CEO Tim Cook, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, and two-time Masters champion golfer Rory McIlroy, who was born in Northern Ireland.Earlier in Congress, Charles urged the United States on Tuesday to stand firmly with its Western allies in a speech that was warmly welcomed.

As the royals arrived for dinner, Trump also praised the “fantastic speech” and said he was “very jealous” — even though Charles touched on sensitive topics ranging from climate change and the need for limits on presidential power to the importance of NATO and the defense of Ukraine.Addressing lawmakers during celebrations of the 250th anniversary of American independence, Charles stressed that “unyielding resolve” is needed to secure a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine, which has been fighting a full-scale invasion by Russia since 2022.Trump earlier praised Britain as America’s closest ally while welcoming Charles and Queen Camilla to the White House for a four-day state visit.“No close friends” Speaking after a 21-gun salute on the South Lawn, Trump struck a noticeably warmer tone than recent criticism of Starmer.“In the centuries since we gained our independence, Americans have never had closer friends than the British,” Trump said, praising the “special relationship” and military partnership between the two countries.Cannons blared as a military band played the British and American national anthems, before Charles shook hands with senior Trump administration officials and inspected troops in the park with the president. Then, four US planes roared over the White House as Trump, Charles, Camilla and First Lady Melania Trump looked on.The visit comes at a sensitive moment, as Trump criticizes Britain for its position on Iran and other policies.Despite the tensions, the US president struck a playful tone, joking that his Scottish-born mother “has a crush on Charles” ahead of talks in the Oval Office.“He’s a wonderful person,” Trump told reporters after the meeting, which was held behind closed doors. “They are wonderful people and this is a real honor.”“Checks and balances”The King’s speech to Congress – the first by a British monarch since Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 – was the focus of the visit.Noting shared democratic traditions, Charles described Congress as a “citadel of democracy” and stressed the two countries’ shared legal roots.He noted that the Magna Carta has been cited in more than 160 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, highlighting — to rapturous applause from opposing Democrats — the principle that executive power is subject to checks and balances.The Jordanian monarch also emphasized deep defense and economic ties, saying cooperation in security, technology and trade remains central to the alliance.He added: “Our defense, intelligence and security relations are closely interconnected.”Security was tightened during the visit following an alleged assassination attempt against Trump during a weekend media event in Washington.“These acts of violence will never succeed,” Charles said.The royal couple will attend an official dinner later on Tuesday, concluding a visit mixed with sensitive diplomatic ceremonies.