King Charles III of the United Kingdom addressed a joint session of the U.S. Congress, emphasizing the importance of the historic alliance between Washington and London.
Citing TODAY and Town & Country, the editorial reports that King Charles III, in his speech, described the relationship between the two countries as a “story of reconciliation, renewal, and great partnership” against the backdrop of the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. He stated that the ties between the U.S. and Great Britain are not limited to the last 250 years, but that the bonds between the peoples have a history spanning over four centuries.
King Charles III became the second British monarch to address the U.S. Congress. Before him, his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, spoke from this podium in 1991.
At the beginning of his speech, Charles also touched upon a recent security incident in the U.S. He stated that acts of violence directed against political leadership will never succeed. The King noted that despite disagreements, allies must demonstrate unity in protecting democratic institutions and ensuring people's safety.
Charles recalled that there have also been disagreements in the history of U.S. and Great Britain relations. He alluded to the American struggle for independence, stating that the principle of “no taxation without representation” was both a major point of contention and a shared democratic value between the two countries.
In his speech, the King particularly emphasized the security cooperation between the U.S. and Great Britain. He stated that the world has entered a more unstable and dangerous phase compared to 1991. According to him, in such circumstances, projects like NATO, intelligence cooperation, the defense industry, and AUKUS are crucial for the future security of both countries.
AUKUS is a defense and security partnership between Australia, Great Britain, and the U.S. Within this framework, discussions particularly focus on nuclear-powered submarines, advanced defense technologies, and security issues in the Indo-Pacific region.
Charles also touched upon the issue of Ukraine, stating that the same resolve is needed for Kyiv's defense. He emphasized the importance of ensuring a just and lasting peace for the Ukrainian people.
The British monarch also spoke about economic and technological cooperation in his speech. According to him, the U.S. and Great Britain are forming new partnerships in areas such as nuclear fusion, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and drug discovery. These fields hold strategic importance for future economic development and the improvement of human life.
The King stated that annual trade between the two countries amounts to $430 billion, and mutual investments stand at $1.7 trillion. He noted that these ties support millions of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.
At the end of his speech, Charles also called for the protection of nature. He stated that the degradation of natural systems is not only an ecological problem but also a threat to economic prosperity and national security.
King Charles III stated that the U.S. and Great Britain must continue to defend shared values for the next 250 years. He urged the countries to resist calls for greater insularity and to act together with international partners.