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Britain’s King Charles III is greeted with a standing welcome as he addresses a joint session of Congress inside the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol, April 28, 2026, in Washington. Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters
King Charles III gave an impactful speech to a bicameral meeting of Congress on Tuesday, energizing legislators who seemed captivated by his message of harmony and mutual history between the United States and the United Kingdom.
Below are four salient points from the royal speech:
Britain’s King Charles III receives a standing ovation as he speaks to a joint meeting of Congress in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol, April 28, 2026, in Washington.Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters
Reinforcing ties between the U.S. and the U.K.
It's a rare occurrence within a sharply divided Congress: A chamber filled to capacity, brimming with laughter, unity, and reciprocal standing ovations, a noticeable contrast to the previous State of the Union address, which saw unoccupied seats, multiple disruptions, and members walking out in opposition — features of the annual address that have lately become commonplace.
But on Tuesday, throughout the king’s discourse, laughter resounded within the walls of the House chamber — Charles even pausing his comments on occasion to accommodate the sustained laughter and applause.
Democrats and Republicans listened intently — perhaps more engaged than when addressed by a U.S. president, even one from their own affiliation. No one appeared to doze off. No one exited the room.
The tenor of the king’s speech was positive and optimistic — even in the face of considerable uncertainty both domestically and internationally — conveying a message of solidarity and appreciation for the shared partnership that many in Congress consider welcome and essential for tackling the issues of our period.
King Charles III addresses a joint meeting of Congress as U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson listen at the U.S. Capitol, April 28, 2026 in Washington.Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Championing the NATO alliance
In spite of President Donald Trump’s outspoken criticisms of NATO, the king remained firm in underscoring the importance and background of the alliance, urging Congress to recommit to collective security while emphasizing that its mutual defense, intelligence, and security connections “are intrinsically linked through relationships, assessed not in years, but across decades.”
“We do not start these remarkable undertakings collectively out of sentimentality. We do so because they foster greater shared resilience for the time ahead, therefore ensuring our citizens’ safety for subsequent generations,” the king stated. “Our common values were not only vital for freedom and equality, they also establish the groundwork for our shared success.”
Trump had previously informed reporters that the U.S. does not “require any assistance” from the alliance and lambasted NATO’s inaction regarding his plea for help in reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
“NATO WASN’T THERE WHEN WE NEEDED THEM, AND THEY WON’T BE THERE IF WE NEED THEM AGAIN,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
Britain’s King Charles shakes hands with Sen. Patty Murray as he leaves after his address to a joint meeting of Congress in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, April 28, 2026.Kylie Cooper/Reuters
In his address, the king recalled the sole instance of Article 5 being invoked in the alliance’s history: when America requested assistance from allies to combat terrorism following 9/11.
“We supported you then, and we stand with you now in earnest remembrance of a day that shall never slip from our memory,” he declared.
The king contended that the same degree of unity is currently required across numerous active battlegrounds worldwide. When the king advocated for peace in Ukraine, the chamber once more erupted in bipartisan applause — despite divisions within the legislative arm concerning continued assistance there.
“We jointly answered the call, as our peoples have consistently done for over a century, side by side through two world wars, the Cold War, Afghanistan, and critical episodes that have shaped our shared security,” the king stated. “Today, Mr. Speaker, that very same unwavering resolve is indispensable for the defense of Ukraine and its exceptionally brave populace.”
King Charles III meets with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries during a bicameral, bipartisan leadership meeting at the U.S. Capitol, April 28, 2026 in Washington.Heather Diehl/Getty Images
The king described the world as “more unstable and more perilous” than when his mother addressed a joint session 35 years prior from the same venue — asserting that the U.S. requires an ally such as the United Kingdom to uphold security for both their populations.
“The difficulties we encounter are too formidable for any single nation to overcome in isolation,” the king stated. “However, in this uncertain climate, our alliance must not depend solely on past accomplishments or presume that fundamental principles will inherently endure.”
“As my prime minister noted last month, ours is an essential partnership. We must not disregard the elements that have sustained us for the past 80 years. Instead, we must build upon them,” he included.
Honoring checks and balances
The king’s urging for checks and balances on executive authority garnered bipartisan approval — with legislators from both parties celebrating this pillar of American governance. The king commemorated the two nations’ bond, which originated from conflict yet flourished by upholding the same fundamental values.
“They unified 13 distinct colonies to create a nation founded on the groundbreaking concept of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. They transported with them and advanced the extensive legacy of the British Enlightenment, alongside the ideals that possessed even more profound roots in English common law and Magna Carta.”
The king highlighted the entitlements afforded to citizens in both countries, which derive from a shared heritage of democracy.
“These roots run deep, and they remain indispensable. Our Declaration of Rights from 1689 not only laid the cornerstone for our constitutional Monarchy but also provided the basis for numerous principles reiterated – often verbatim – in the American Bill of Rights of 1791,” the king noted.
Charles also acknowledged shared values that foster “vibrant, diverse, and free societies” that provide the United States and United Kingdom with “our collective strength.”
“It is within these very halls that this spirit of freedom and the promise of America’s founders is evident in every session and every vote cast, not by the decree of one, but through the deliberation of many, representing the living mosaic of the United States in both of our countries,” he remarked.
King Charles III meets with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries during a bicameral, bipartisan leadership meeting at the U.S. Capitol, April 28, 2026 in Washington.Heather Diehl/Getty Images
A return to civility and respect
The chamber remained full for the duration of the king’s speech. There was no evidence of any legislators exiting the address in protest, and no demonstrations or outbursts occurred.
Despite the bipartisan atmosphere throughout the address, Republicans were less enthusiastic in standing for the king’s appeal to conserve nature — with only about half of that side of the chamber standing to applaud his urging to protect and cherish “the glorious heritage” of the United States.
However, unlike disagreements directed at the president during the State of the Union, legislators did not hurl any insults at the king or overtly voice their disapproval of anything he expressed.
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Sourse: abcnews.go.com