King Charles to address Congress as U.S.-British ties face rare strain
Key takeaways
- The king’s address, the centerpiece of a four-day state visit, comes at a moment of unusual strain between Washington and London.
- At a welcome ceremony for the king and Queen Camilla at the White House, Trump struck a more appreciative tone, describing the relationship between the two nations as a centuries-old “cherished bond.”
- “Long before Americans had a nation or a Constitution, we first had a culture, a character and a creed,” the president said.
Britain’s King Charles III and President Trump walk together Tuesday during a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson / Associated Press) By Ana Ceballos Staff Writer Follow April 28, 2026 9:55 AM PT 4 min Click here to listen to this article Share via Close extra sharing options Email Facebook X Linked In Threads Reddit Whats App Copy Link URL Copied! Print 0:00 0:00 1x This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.
WASHINGTON — King Charles III will address a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, becoming the second British monarch in history to do so as the United States commemorates the 250th anniversary of its independence from England.
The king’s address, the centerpiece of a four-day state visit, comes at a moment of unusual strain between Washington and London. President Trump has repeatedly clashed with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the United States’ war with Iran, derided the British government’s refusal to commit forces to the conflict and even mocked the Royal Navy’s battleships as “toys.”