King Charles calls for international cooperation in historic address to Congress

British monarch King Charles III appealed to the shared values between the U.S. and the U.K. while stressing the importance of international cooperation and service in a historic address to a joint meeting of Congress on Tuesday.

“The challenges we face are too great for any one nation to bear alone,” Charles said. “But in this unpredictable environment, our alliance cannot rest on past achievements, or assume that foundational principles simply endure.”

Charles elicited ample applause from members of both parties as he noted the historic reconciliation between the U.S. and U.K. and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence this year.

Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) said “it was clear that King Charles had a message for America.”

“It’s a sign of the times that he used this as an opportunity to not just call for the continued alliance and partnership of the U.K. and America, but also to remind the United States of our democratic roots, of the importance of checks and balances, of a free press, of a free judiciary,” Stansbury said.

The address marked the second-ever speech to Congress by a British monarch and the first in 35 years. Queen Elizabeth II, Charles’s mother, delivered a speech to the legislative body in 1991.

Lawmakers, the president’s Cabinet and Vice President Vance all packed into the House chamber for the address. Even former Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer made a rare public appearance to hear the British monarch speak. Queen Camilla, in an all-white dress with exaggerated black stitch detail, sat on the dais for the speech.

Rep. Dan Meuser (R-Pa.) was among the lawmakers to swarm the aisle and exchange a few words and handshakes with the royals upon their exit, saying he praised Charles for a “fantastic speech” that “brought a lot of people together.”

“I said to the Queen, very nice to meet you, Your Highness. I think I said that. We’re not used to using that language,” Meuser said.

There was one notable display of partisan division near the end of the speech when Charles, a champion of environmental causes, urged a “shared responsibility to safeguard nature.”

“We ignore at our peril the fact that these natural systems — in other words, nature’s own economy — provide the foundation for our prosperity and our national security,” the monarch said.

While Democrats rushed to stand for his call for environmental protection, Republicans stayed mostly seated.

“Most of our historic environmental legislation was bipartisan, but they couldn’t even stand to clap for saving nature,” Stansbury said of the Republicans sitting for the environmental line.

Much of the address focused on the unique history of division and reconciliation between the U.S. and U.K.

“From the bitter divisions of 250 years ago, we forged a friendship that has grown into one of the most consequential alliances in human history,” the monarch told lawmakers. “I pray with all my heart that our alliance will continue to defend our shared values, with our partners in Europe and the Commonwealth, and across the world, and that we ignore the clarion calls to become ever more inward-looking.”

Charles elicited laughter during his speech, cracking jokes about not coming to the U.S. “as part of some cunning rearguard action” and how the U.K. considers 250 years ago as “just the other day.”

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) called the monarch’s speech “a terrific combo of wit, humor, history and appreciation” in a  social media post .

“I believe most members of Congress feel better after the speech than they did before. Though I will admit it was a bit odd that the unifying feeling had to come from the King of England… but so be it!”

Ahead of the speech, Charles met with President Trump at the White House and with the Democratic and Republican leaders of both chambers of Congress.

Trump praised the royal couple after their private meeting, calling Charles a “fantastic person.”

“They’re incredible people and it’s a real honor,” Trump said after he and the first lady saw the king and queen off.

The king emphasized a need for continued cooperation among allies to confront global threats.

“The challenges we face are too great for any one nation to bear alone,” he said. “But in this unpredictable environment, our alliance cannot rest on past achievements, or assume that foundational principles simply endure.”

The monarch specifically urged ongoing international support for Ukraine amid its war with Russia, invoking the NATO-led response to the 9/11 attacks on the U.S.

“Today, Mr. Speaker, that same, unyielding resolve is needed for the defense of Ukraine and her most courageous people,” the king said, eliciting loud bipartisan applause from the House chamber. “It is needed to secure a truly just and lasting peace.”

Trump previously indicated  that he’d like the U.S. to formally leave NATO after several allies pushed back against his handling of the Iran war. This move would require congressional approval and would likely face opposition  from across the aisle.

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) said Charles was “well measured” in his NATO comments, adding the king was “very respectful, which was nice.”

The monarch also condemned the  attempted attack last weekend on the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, which Trump attended. The president and his Cabinet were safely ushered out of the event by the U.S. Secret Service.

“Let me say with unshakeable resolve: Such acts of violence will never succeed,” the king said. “Whatever our differences, whatever disagreements we may have, we stand united in our commitment to uphold democracy, to protect all our people from harm, and to salute the courage of those who daily risk their lives in the service of our countries.”

While Charles’s speech focused on the special U.S.-U.K. relationship, his visit spurred at least one symbolic reaffirmation of U.S. independence from the British.

One attendee in the House gallery wore a George Washington costume: Texas pastor Mark Collins, who has  long played  Washington in documentaries and at various events and school visits. He attended the speech as a guest of Rep. Michael Cloud (R-Texas).

Collins said that attending as Washington was not a protest of the king but a celebration.

“The commonality of our two nations and how we immediately, after our conflict, came together, and we have been together for 250 years — I think that’s what we celebrated today,” Collins said.

The king ended his speech by calling for “selfless service.”

“To the United States of America, on your 250th birthday, let our two countries rededicate ourselves to each other in the selfless service of our peoples and of all the peoples of the world.”

Julia Manchester contributed.

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