In a speech to Congress, King Charles III praises NATO and says that the USA and the United Kingdom have a ‘duty to promote peace’

King Charles III arrives in the United States even after a shooting at dinner on Saturday (25) King Charles III of England spoke this Tuesday (28), at the US Congress, in Washington. He and his wife, Queen Camilla, are on a four-day state visit to the country at a time when both parties are going through a turbulent time. In his speech, Charles highlighted NATO, the Western military alliance, whose members are frequent targets of Trump’s criticism, spoke of “promoting peace” and sought to strengthen ties between the US and the United Kingdom. “The essence of our two nations is a generosity of spirit and a duty to cultivate compassion, promote peace, deepen mutual understanding, and value all people of all religions — and those of no faith.” King Charles III made several references to American independence from England, which turns 250 years old in 2026. “Ours is a partnership born of contention, but it is no less strong… Therefore, we can discern that our nations are, in fact, instinctively similar in mentality – a product of the common democratic, legal and social traditions in which our governance is rooted to this day,” Charles said in his speech. Charles’ speech preached unity between the two countries and reinforced the importance of defending democratic values. The king was widely applauded several times, including when he cited the principles of control of Executive powers by the Legislative and Judiciary, provided for in the Constitutions of both countries. King Charles II of England speaks to the US Congress on April 28, 2026 Eric Lee/Reuters There were mentions of NATO and Ukraine, in what can be read as a veiled reproof of Trump’s tendency to intervene in international issues alone, in the absence of multilateral bodies. “Immediately after 9/11, when NATO invoked Article 5 for the first time and the United Nations Security Council united in the face of terror, we responded to the call together,” said the monarch. “Today, that same unwavering determination is needed to defend Ukraine and its courageous people – in order to ensure a truly just and lasting peace.” “The commitment and experience of the United States military and its allies are at the heart of NATO, committed to mutual defense, protecting our citizens and interests, keeping Americans and Europeans safe from our common adversaries. Our defense, intelligence and security ties are inextricably linked through relationships measured not in years, but in decades.” Charles also highlighted the defense of the environment, one of the flags he has constantly raised, since before ascending the throne. “Over the next 250 years, we must also reflect on our shared responsibility to protect nature, our most precious and irreplaceable asset.” Moment of tension The trip takes place amid a moment of tension between London and Washington — historical allies — and shortly after an armed man invaded, on Saturday (25) night, a dinner with the press with the intention of shooting Trump. Planned before the war with Iran, the visit also marks 250 years of American independence, celebrated on the 4th of July. The agenda was defined before the offensive led by Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against Iran. See the schedule below. Despite the security incident over the weekend, the program was maintained, with increased protection for the monarch. After the speech, Charles and Camilla attend an official banquet. On Wednesday, the couple will head to New York, where they will pay tribute to the victims of the September 11 attacks and participate in an event with representatives from the creative industries. On Thursday, the agenda continues in the state of Virginia, with celebrations for 250 years of American independence. Diplomatic crisis The timing of the English monarch’s visit to the USA is considered delicate. British historians classify the moment as the worst Anglo-American crisis in a century, according to AFP. Trump has been publicly critical of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He has already called British aircraft carriers “toys” and stated that the Prime Minister “is not Winston Churchill”. One of the points of friction involves the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands. A leaked email from the Pentagon indicated that the US could review support for the United Kingdom on the issue. The British government reacted, reiterating that the archipelago has belonged to the country since 1833, despite the dispute with Argentina. Although the White House has not officially commented on the leak, the document is seen as pressure on NATO allies who, in Trump’s assessment — such as the United Kingdom and Spain — would be contributing less than expected in the war against Iran. Furthermore, Trump is politically aligned with Argentine President Javier Milei.

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