King Charles III addresses US Congress, stresses cooperation amid global uncertainty

Britain’s King Charles III, who is on a state visit to the U.S., addressed Congress, emphasizing the importance of the longstanding relationship between the U.K. and the U.S. amid current global challenges, the BBC reported.

He opened by acknowledging a period of «great uncertainty,» referring to conflicts in the Middle East and Europe, as well as threats to democratic institutions. The king noted that while the two countries do not always agree, they can achieve significant outcomes when aligned, benefiting not only their own citizens but others globally.

The king also highlighted the importance of limits on executive authority, referencing the tradition of checks and balances rooted in the Magna Carta and reflected in the U.S. Constitution. He stressed that both U.S. words and actions carry global significance.

Addressing security cooperation, he underscored the role of NATO and the transatlantic alliance, recalling that the alliance was activated only once, in response to the Sept. 11 attacks. Drawing on his own service in the Royal Navy, he pointed to the importance of continued defense and intelligence cooperation between the U.S., the U.K. and Europe.

While he did not mention Jeffrey Epstein or his victims, the king made a general remark about supporting victims of societal harm.

In addition, throughout the address, Charles III used humor, including a reference to the two nations «having everything in common except, of course, a language,» in an apparent effort to ease tensions between them.