King Charles emphasizes the importance of NATO in speech to Parliament
USA TODAY’s Zachary Schermele analyzes Charles III’s rare speech to members of Congress after listening to it.
It was a very British day in America.
Charles III spent the second day of his four-day state visit trying to allay concerns about the increasingly volatile relationship between the United States and Britain. He gave a rare and historic speech to a joint parliament, reaffirming that the two countries were effectively united.
The spectacle at the White House was spectacular as the King made his way through Washington, D.C., beginning with an elaborate program to welcome King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the White House, and ending with a formal dinner where the two leaders toasted.
The most important state visit of King Charles’ reign will mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and will be the monarch’s first visit to the United States since his coronation in 2023. Here are the takeaways from His Majesty’s historic visit:
“A beautiful British day”
Redcoats occupied the White House lawn. But don’t worry, it wasn’t the British army.
The “President’s” US Marine Band, dressed in red jackets and white pants, was among the entertainment that welcomed King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the White House.
The White House embraced British heritage, highlighted British symbols, and even Mother Nature brought London-style cloudy skies to Prince Charles and Camilla’s visit.
In his opening remarks, President Trump said: “What a great British day this is. It truly is.” At that point, the rain had stopped and gray clouds hung overhead.
The stairs leading up to the White House’s portico balcony were lined with the American flag and the British Union Jack.
The White House even had its own version of the classic high tea.
The president hails from New York, known for its iconic bagels, and the White House served a number of pastries at an educational event on artificial intelligence attended by first lady Melania Trump and first lady Camilla.
A tiered silver tray featured cheddar and sweet pepper sandwiches, lemon madeleines, and, of course, scones. The title of the scone is “Queen’s Drop Scone”.
The first lady and the queen walked around the tennis pavilion on the White House grounds to meet with students participating in the event. Some students tried VR headsets, while others looked at glass plates and statues, including a bust of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill during World War II. They also viewed paintings of John Adams, a Revolutionary War leader, the first U.S. ambassador to Britain, and the second president of the United States.
state of strong ties
Typically, when a leader addresses Congress, it is the President of the United States, often declaring that “the union status quo is strong.”
However, King Charles III delivered a rare speech to a joint session of Parliament, marking only the second time a British monarch has addressed Parliament. Queen Elizabeth II addressed Parliament in 1991.
His Majesty gave his latest information on the status of relations with the United States, stating that “the ties remain strong.”
The speech came amid a major rift between the US and UK over a variety of issues, including President Trump’s ongoing tariff war, his disdain for NATO, and his ongoing war with Iran, to name just a few.
“Our partnership was born out of conflict, but that partnership is no less strong,” Charles said. “So perhaps in this example we see that our countries are indeed instinctively like-minded, a product of the common democratic, legal and social traditions in which our governance is rooted to this day. Drawing on these values and traditions time and time again, our two countries have always found a way to come together.”
Charles’ speech was peppered with jokes and drew laughs from Republican and Democratic lawmakers in attendance. However, there was still a sharp partisan divide on applause and standing ovations.
Democrats supported King Charles’ remarks highlighting the importance of the NATO alliance and environmental protection. When His Majesty emphasized his Christian faith, the Republican Party became even more agitated.
President Trump praised the speech.
When King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived at the White House for a state dinner, President Trump said, “He gave a great speech. I was so jealous.” During a toast at a state dinner, Trump again praised the speech, and after the king received multiple standing ovations, Democrats even joked that they “like Charles more than any Republican or Democrat ever.”
conflict of war
What has been the main issue of contention between the US and UK in recent weeks? The Iran war.
It is noteworthy that King Charles did not mention the Iran war by name. Britain has stated that it does not want to get involved in the war. Instead, Prince Charles said in his speech that as a Christian he supports interfaith relations at a time when the United States and Israel are at war in the Middle East.
“I have dedicated much of my life to interreligious relations and deeper understanding, a belief in the victory of light over darkness that I have confirmed countless times,” the king said to applause. “That is why it is my hope and my prayer that in these turbulent times, together with our international partners, we can stop the plowshares from striking the sword.”
But Charles mentioned Ukraine, one of the countries at war and in need of help.
King Charles III called for continued support for Ukraine’s mutual defense, despite President Trump criticizing NATO and halting US aid to the country.
“Mr. Speaker, today we need the same unyielding determination to defend Ukraine and its bravest people,” he said, before being interrupted by applause. “That is necessary to ensure a truly just and lasting peace.”
Although the king only mentioned Iran, Trump said during a toast at the state dinner that Prince Charles agrees that Iran should not have nuclear weapons.
“We’re doing a little bit of work on the Middle East right now. We’re doing very well. We’ve defeated that particular enemy militarily, and we’re never going to forgive that enemy. Charles agrees with me more than I do. We’re not going to let that enemy have nuclear weapons.”
See WHCD Attempted Shooting
A few days before Charles’ state visit, there was an attempted attack on the US leadership. And the king said such an act would “never succeed.”
“We too met in the aftermath of an incident not far from this great building that sought to undermine the leadership of your country and to incite wider fear and discord. Let me say this with unwavering determination: acts of violence like this will never succeed,” Prime Minister Charles said in a speech to parliament.
Two days before the king and queen were scheduled to arrive in the United States for an unusual state visit, the attempted attack took place outside a White House Correspondents’ Association dinner attended by First Lady Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and other senior members of the president’s cabinet.
Cole Thomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, was charged with attempting to assassinate the president, transporting a firearm and ammunition across state lines with intent to commit a felony, and discharging a firearm during a violent crime.
Security for Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla’s state visit has reportedly been reviewed following the shooting incident.
On Tuesday morning, reporters at the White House asked how First Lady Melania Trump was doing after Saturday’s attempted attack. The president previously described it as a “traumatic event” for the first lady.
Melania Trump said, “Okay, thank you.”
In a toast at the state dinner, Prince Charles also praised the president’s own “courage and steadfastness” and the swift action of the Secret Service.
Prince Charles said: “My deepest sympathies go out to you, First Lady, and to all of your guests who may have been deeply upset by this incident.”
Don’t forget to toast
It was a white tie affair. Tuxedo with tailcoat and floor-length gown.
A bouquet of lilacs, butterfly ranunculus, phlox, and lily of the valley filled the center of the table like a garden. Tall sconces helped create dim, moody lighting. The table featured 250 pieces of vermeil from the White House collection, as well as handmade pottery by prominent American artisans, including Ben Wolfe.
The menu was literally fit for a king. The White House served Dover sole meuniere, a French haute fish dish, as the main course. The dessert was a honeycomb-shaped gateau chocolate.
Members of the presidential administration were not the only guests at the dinner. Some of America’s biggest (and richest) tech giants were in attendance, including Apple CEO Tim Cook and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. All conservative members attended, despite the president’s rocky relationship with some of the Supreme Court justices. Even sports figures in Northern Ireland golfer Rory McIlroy and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft saw the coveted invitation to the relationship.
With a few asides, President Trump mainly focused on his prepared remarks for the toast. Trump said McIlroy’s recent Masters victory, which drew applause, required “unconquerable courage.”
The king peppered his toast with plenty of jokes to lighten the formality of the occasion. He once gave the president a bell from the World War II-era submarine Trump, which had no connection to the president, but the king still called it his “brave namesake.”
But even at the most lavish of dinners, guests were seen using their mobile phones to film the historic moment when King Charles walked into the East Room.
Contributors: Francesca Chambers, Zac Anderson, Karissa Waddick, Bart Jansen, Zachary Schermele, Joey Garrison, USA TODAY
