politics
April 29, 2026
Read in full: King Charles III's address to Congress
This is a transcript of King Charles III’s address to Congress, celebrating the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom during the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Scroll to the bottom of the speech for a slideshow of the event.
TL;DR
- The address marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, celebrating a relationship built over four centuries.
- Shared democratic, legal, and social traditions form the foundation of the UK-US partnership, originating from common historical roots like the Magna Carta.
- The alliance has been tested and strengthened through various global conflicts and challenges, including two World Wars, the Cold War, and 9/11.
- Current cooperation extends to defense (NATO, AUKUS), economic and technological agreements (nuclear fusion, quantum computing, AI), and cultural/educational exchanges (Marshall Scholarship).
- The speech calls for continued collaboration to address global challenges like security threats, climate change, and the need for peace, particularly in light of the situation in Ukraine.
- King Charles III expressed hope for continued partnership and mutual respect, emphasizing that the actions of both nations matter immensely.
- The address acknowledges the spiritual anchor of the Christian faith and the importance of interfaith understanding, alongside a duty to foster compassion and promote peace.