King Charles urges U.S. to support NATO and Ukraine, reject isolationism in landmark speech

King Charles III speaks to a Joint Meeting of Congress in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, on April 28, 2026. Photo by Kylie Cooper/Pool/AFP Getty ImagesArticle contentKing Charles III called on the U.S. to maintain its leadership role in the world, and to support Ukraine and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, in a remarkably pointed speech for a monarch that urged Americans to resist the pull of isolationism.Sign In or Create an Accountor View more offersArticle contentCharles used his remarks to a joint session of Congress — the first such address by a British monarch in more than three decades — to argue for preserving the alliance between the U.K. and U.S.. The king appealed to the shared heritage between the two nations, littering his remarks with references to culture, religion and principles behind America’s decision to declare independence 250 years ago.Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article contentArticle content“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 told the assembled lawmakers, with Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson seated behind him.Article contentNP PostedGet a dash of perspective along with the trending news of the day in a very readable format.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of NP Posted will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article contentThe relationship between the U.S. and the U.K. has fallen to its lowest level in decades amid a messy public feud between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Trump has spent recent months criticizing and insulting Starmer — with whom he previously shared a warm relationship — before Starmer split with the president over the war in Iran and his threats about annexing Greenland.Article contentThe speech on Capitol Hill came on the second day of his four-day state visit, a trip that has thrust Charles into an unusually prominent diplomatic role. While his words were carefully measured, the king’s message at several points — including on supporting NATO and Ukraine, as well as calls for environmental stewardship — could be read as an implicit critique of the Trump administration’s policies.Article contentArticle contentThe king’s remarks — during which he was repeatedly interrupted by applause — stressed the durability of a relationship that began with a revolution. “With the spirit of 1776 in our minds, we can perhaps agree that we do not always agree — at least in the first instance,” Charles said.Article contentRead More Trump welcomes King Charles to White House as four-day visit starts King Charles won't be visiting Prince Harry on U.S. trip this week Advertisement 1Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article contentTrump, who has made little secret of his admiration of royalty in general and the British monarchy in particular, was due to host Charles at a state banquet after the speech. Earlier, the president had praised the king before a meeting at the White House, hailing the “cherished” bond between two nations.Article content“In the centuries since we won our independence, Americans have had no closer friends than the British,” Trump said. The president called Charles a “blessing” to the countries’ relationship and predicted, “I am very certain that it will continue that way long into the future.”Article contentCharles attended a greeting ceremony hosted by Trump on the South Lawn of the White House, which featured an honour guard, military band, ceremonial cannon salute and a flyover. Trump at times veered from his script to praise Charles, recalling how his Scottish-born mother watched the royal as a young man during televised ceremonies. “My mother had a crush on Charles,” the president said.Advertisement 1This advertisement has not loaded yet.Trending Federal deficit smaller than expected in spring economic update, but with $37.5B in extra spending Canada FIRST READING: As Carney government approves first pipeline, First Nations threaten to destroy another NP Comment Advertisement 2Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Subscriber only. John Ivison: Patty Hajdu just put her foot in it again, and she can only be boosting Tory unity Subscriber only NP Comment Tasha Kheiriddin: Carney's new fund is for corporate welfare, not sovereign wealth NP Comment Michael Higgins: Canada's most dangerous professor NP Comment

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Article contentThe king’s remarks to Congress, however, were more pointed, coming amid growing international concern about the U.S.’s commitment to the post-war order it had helped build. Charles mentioned how the United Nations and NATO had come to America’s defence in the wake of the Sept. 11 terror attacks and cited the U.K.’s “shoulder-to-shoulder” cooperation with the U.S. through two world wars.Article contentHe argued that the partnership between Europe and America was “more important today than it has ever been,” he said. He said that “unyielding resolve is needed for the defence of Ukraine and her most courageous people – in order to secure a truly just and lasting peace,” echoing his remarks to Trump in September.Article content King Charles III addresses a Joint Meeting of Congress at the U.S. Capitol during day two of the State Visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the United States on April 28, 2026. Photo by Kylie Cooper-Pool/Getty ImagesArticle contentEven the king’s nods to history could be received by an American audience as veiled warnings, intentional or not.Article contentCharles cited the example of Britain’s Magna Carta as giving the U.S. inspiration on how executive authority should be subject to checks and balances. His comment comes amid criticism that the Republican-held Senate and House have too widely deferred to Trump’s sweeping expansion of executive power. Democratic leaders could be seen in the chamber standing and applauding the line.Article contentArticle contentSimilarly, his exhortation about the need for an independent judiciary stands in contrast to the president’s frequent criticisms of judges and Supreme Court justices who rule against his own wishes.Article contentWhile Charles didn’t reference Iran specifically, he cited “times of conflict from Europe to the Middle East,” which he warned poses “immense challenges for the international community and whose impact is felt in communities the length and breadth of our own countries.” Europe is currently grappling with an energy price shock as well as a looming jet fuel crisis that threatens summer air travel.Article contentThough Republicans at times displayed muted responses — to Charles’ calls on the importance to protect the environment for example — there was overwhelming support for the king with several standing ovations throughout the speech. Republican Whip Tom Emmer said Charles “was well measured and respectful which was nice.” Representative Robert Aderholt said the call to support Ukraine was received well.Article content“It’s a message that a lot of people in this chamber needed to hear is that this relationship has benefited us both — that, you know, this is not patronage for one side or the other. This is actually in our self-interest, economically, from a security perspective,” said Representative Jason Crow, a Democrat. “And he did a really nice job of painting that picture.”Article contentArticle contentShortly before Charles’ arrival, the efforts to demonstrate stability suffered a blow when it was reported that the U.K.’s ambassador to the U.S. had played down the status of the relationship between the two countries. The ambassador, Christian Turner, said that the U.S.’s only special relationship was “probably Israel,” the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing a recording of the remarks.Article content Queen Camilla, King Charles III, U.S. President Donald Trump and First lady Melania Trump stand on the balcony of the White House during a military flyover during a state arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House on April 28, 2026. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty ImagesArticle contentThe Foreign Office said Turner’s statements weren’t intended for public consumption and did not reflect the government’s official position.Article contentCharles’ speech to a joint meeting of Congress represents only the second time a British monarch has done so, following Elizabeth’s address in 1991 in which she was greeted with a standing ovation from the American lawmakers assembled at the Capitol.Article contentElizabeth in her 1991 speech referenced the Gulf War — though the U.K. government supported that U.S. intervention, unlike the recent conflict in Iran where Britain opted out of aiding the initial strikes.Article contentThe king’s visit has generally been well received by members of both parties in an often-divided Washington.

Article contentSenator Lindsey Graham, a Republican and close Trump ally, said Charles and Queen Camilla were “spectacular” at the White House — adding that Trump’s own comments so far “should be reassuring to all who believe that the U.K.-U.S. relationship is not only special, but also foundational to stability in the world because President Trump — in no uncertain terms — described the relationship as such.”Article content“Simply put: The King nailed it,” Graham said in a social media post after the king’s speech. “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!”Article contentCharles, who typically remains above day-to-day politics, has shown a greater willingness than his mother to wade into contentious waters. Last year, he traveled to Canada to declare the nation as sovereign and free in a speech to its parliament following Trump’s taunts about making the country the ‘51st state.’ It was the first such appearance since 1977.Article content“America’s words carry weight and meaning, as they have since Independence,” Charles concluded in his speech to Congress on Tuesday. “The actions of this great nation matter even more.”Article contentOur website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our newsletters here.Article content

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