King Charles urges Trump not to abandon Nato and Ukraine | BBC News
King Charles III addressed a joint session of the US Congress during a state visit, delivering a speech that championed NATO, the defense of Ukraine, and the enduring UK-US special relationship. President Trump warmly welcomed the king at the White House, emphasizing shared values and heritage. The visit was marked by diplomatic efforts to reset a strained alliance, though overshadowed by remarks from the British ambassador and pressure regarding Jeffrey Epstein victims.
Summary
King Charles III became only the second British monarch to address a joint session of the US Congress, delivering a speech that was widely praised and earned multiple standing ovations from lawmakers across the political divide. The speech was described by royal correspondent Daniela Ralph as one of the most powerful of his reign, blending historical references, light touches, and pointed political messaging.
Charles opened with words of solidarity following recent acts of violence in Washington, declaring that such acts would never succeed and reaffirming a shared commitment to democracy. He drew on the long and sometimes fraught history of UK-US relations to argue that the two nations have consistently found common ground in critical moments, describing this capacity as the 'special ingredient' in their relationship.
On geopolitics, the king made clear references to NATO's invocation of Article 5 following the September 11 attacks and the collective military response that followed. He then directly called for the same resolve to be applied to the defense of Ukraine, in what was seen as a subtle but pointed message to the Trump administration amid concerns about US commitment to the alliance. Quoting Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, he reminded the audience that America's actions carry more weight than its words, as the two nations approach the US's 250th anniversary.
Earlier in the day, President Trump hosted the king and queen at a ceremonial welcome on the South Lawn of the White House — the highest diplomatic honor America offers visiting heads of state. Trump praised the UK effusively, calling the British America's closest friends, and shared a personal anecdote about his late mother's admiration for the young Prince Charles, saying she had 'a crush on Charles.'
Behind the formalities, the visit carried significant diplomatic weight, framed as an effort to reset a strained UK-US alliance. However, the occasion was complicated by leaked remarks from British Ambassador Peter Christian Turner, who was recorded telling British students in February that if any country truly has a special relationship with America, it is probably Israel rather than Britain — an awkward statement given the purpose of the visit. Turner also referenced Jeffrey Epstein, a topic both Buckingham Palace and the White House sought to avoid. There was also pressure on the king and queen to meet with Epstein victims who had traveled to Washington, though they declined on legal advice. A veiled reference in the king's speech to 'victims of the ills that tragically exist in both our countries' was understood to be an indirect acknowledgment of Epstein's crimes.
Key Insights
- King Charles directly invoked NATO's Article 5 response to 9/11 and argued that 'the same unyielding resolve is needed for the defense of Ukraine,' in what was widely interpreted as a pointed message urging the US not to abandon its allies.
- Quoting Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, King Charles told Congress that 'the world may little note what we say but will never forget what we do,' framing America's actions — not just its words — as the true measure of the alliance.
- President Trump claimed his late mother had 'a crush on Charles' as a young man and would watch the British royal family on television, using the personal anecdote to underscore the emotional warmth he feels toward the UK.
- British Ambassador Christian Turner was recorded telling students in February that if any country truly has a special relationship with America, 'it's not Britain, but probably Israel' — remarks that threatened to derail the state visit.
- King Charles's reference in his speech to 'victims of the ills that tragically exist in both our countries' was understood by reporters to be a veiled acknowledgment of Jeffrey Epstein's crimes, as the palace declined to address the matter directly on legal advice.
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