King Charles III US Congress speech marks 250th anniversary and UK-US ties

King Charles III told a joint meeting of the US Congress that the US and the UK faced "times of great uncertainty\". Charles thanked Americans while marking 250 years since independence from Britain. Charles also stressed shared interests during political tension on both sides. Charles said the two countries stayed linked over generations and could not rely only on history.

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The address made Charles only the second British monarch to speak there. Queen Elizabeth II spoke to a joint session in 1991. Queen Elizabeth II highlighted shared history and democratic principles. Charles returned to those points on Tuesday. The setting differed sharply from 1991, as leaders dealt with conflict abroad and unrest at home.

King Charles III speech to US Congress amid US-UK tension

President Donald Trump remained in open conflict with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the war in Iran. Many lawmakers had attended the White House Correspondents Dinner on Saturday. That event was disrupted by a shooting. Authorities described it as an attempted assassination against Trump. Charles addressed the attack directly and called for unity.

\"Let me say with unshakeable resolve,\" Charles said. \"Such acts of violence will never succeed.\"

Charles also referred to disagreements without naming individuals. Charles said the Iran war was testing the relationship. Charles urged \"unyielding resolve\" in support of Ukraine against Russia. Charles also praised the NATO alliance. Trump had repeatedly questioned that alliance in public statements. The comments signalled shared priorities and points of strain.

King Charles III meeting with Donald Trump at the White House

Charles began the day at the White House with a ceremony on the South Lawn. Under grey, drizzly skies, Trump joked it was a \"beautiful British day\". Trump then spoke about shared history. Trump did not mention the dispute with Starmer. Trump linked the Magna Carta in 1215 to the American Revolution.

\"American patriots today can sing, My country, tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, only because our colonial ancestors first sang, God save the King,\" Trump said.

Charles and Trump later met in the Oval Office in a session closed to the public. The private format reduced chances for freewheeling exchanges. Such moments had become common during Trump’s second term. After the meeting, Trump described it as \"a really good meeting\". Trump also said Charles was \"a fantastic person\".

King Charles III visit as Trump-Starmer rift grows over Iran war

Trump’s relationship with Starmer had worsened for months, linked to efforts to rally backing for the Iran war. Trump criticised Starmer for resisting those moves. Trump said \"this is not Winston Churchill that were dealing with.\" Trump had also imposed tariffs on the UK. Trump warned of more levies despite a Supreme Court ruling.

Trump threatened last week to add a big tariff on the UK. Trump linked that threat to the UK digital services tax on US technology companies. Trump also challenged trans-Atlantic ties in other ways. Trump floated annexing Greenland and threatened to leave NATO. Trump also imposed tariffs on Canada and taunted the neighbour.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York blamed Republican policies for strain. Jeffries spoke on Monday about the importance of the UK alliance. Jeffries said the royal visit could help repair relations. \"Hopefully, the kings visit is going to go a long way toward repairing the damage that this administration has done to one of our most important allies in the world,\" Jeffries said.

King Charles III US trip plans and Capitol Hill pressure

Charles faced calls on Capitol Hill to meet victims of Jeffrey Epstein during the US visit. There was no indication Charles would do so. The scandal had involved Charles’s brother. Charles’s brother was arrested in February over misconduct allegations. Charles’s brother denied the allegations, according to the report.

Rep. Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, backed calls for accountability over Epstein. Khanna said the British ambassador to the US described plans for recognition. Khanna said survivors would be acknowledged during the congressional address. Separately, Charles and Camilla arrived in Washington on Monday. They held tea with Trump and first lady Melania Trump.

The royal couple planned more travel later in the week. Their schedule included New York City and Virginia. Charles used the congressional speech to underline shared ties and common aims. The visit unfolded amid disputes on Iran, NATO, and trade. It also took place after the weekend security incident involving Trump.

With inputs from PTI