King Charles, of the United Kingdom, told the United States Congress this Tuesday that, despite an era of uncertainty, and conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, the United Kingdom and the United States will always be firm and united allies in the defense of democracy, at a time of deep divisions between the two countries over the war with Iran.
“Whatever our differences, whatever disagreements we may have, we are united in our commitment to defend democracy, to protect all our people, and to salute the courage of those who daily risk their lives in the service of our countries,” Charles told U.S. lawmakers during a rare speech to a joint meeting of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and after a prolonged standing ovation during his entrance with the Queen Camilla.
Charles delivered the speech on the second day of a state visit to the USA, at a time of tension in relations between the two countries, after US President Donald Trump repeatedly criticized the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer, for what Trump considers a lack of help in the conduct of the war against Iran.
‘I come here today with the greatest respect for the Congress of the United States — this citadel of democracy created to represent the voice of all the American people to advance sacred rights and freedoms,’ said Charles.
Trump said Starmer, who won some applause at home for not joining the offensive against Iran, was no Winston Churchill, and downplayed a later offer of military assistance to defend allies in the region.
Before the speech, Charles met with top Republican and Democratic lawmakers after a morning visit to the White House with Camilla, which included a closed-door meeting between the king and Trump.
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The events are part of a visit to the US designed to reinforce the ties forged between the United Kingdom and its former colony over the 250 years since American independence.
The king was only the second British sovereign to address the US Congress. His mother, Queen Elizabeth, addressed both Houses in 1991.
Friendship
Earlier, during an open-air reception ceremony at the White House, Trump emphasized the friendship that has developed between the British and Americans since their days as adversaries during the War of Independence and the ‘wounds of war’ it caused.
“The soldiers who once called themselves Redcoats and Yankees became the Tommies and the G.I.s who together saved the free world as brothers in arms and brothers in eternity,” the president said in a reference to World War II, as hundreds of guests gathered on the South Lawn with the Washington Monument in the distance.
After escorting the king and queen to their limousine to leave the White House, Trump told reporters: ‘It was a very good meeting. He is a fantastic person. They are incredible people and it’s a real honor.’
