King Charles To Promote British-American Unity In Speech To Congress

WASHINGTON, April 28 (Reuters) – Britain’s King Charles will emphasize the importance of unity with the United States and the necessity of defending democratic values ​​in his speech to Congress on Tuesday, at a time when there are deep differences of opinion between the two countries due to the war in Iran.

Charles and Queen Camilla are on a four-day state visit to the United States to underline the ties between Britain and its former colony over the 250 years since independence, known in recent years as the “special relationship”.

The King will steer clear of the political feud between President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer but will underline their countries’ shared values ​​and a duty to promote peace, compassion and democracy while protecting the environment and religious freedom.

A palace source said that despite periodic differences in relations between the two countries, the king would say: “Our two countries have always found ways to come together.”

The long-planned visit comes amid tensions over the US-Israeli war against Iran, after Trump repeatedly criticized Britain for refusing to support the attack and an internal Pentagon email suggested Washington might review its support for Britain’s claim to the Falkland Islands.

The king’s speech, scheduled to begin at 3pm, will be the second by a British monarch to the US Congress. His mother was Queen Elizabeth II. Elizabeth spoke to both households in 1991.

It is the central event of the state visit, the most notable of Charles’ reign, and will be followed by a state dinner on Tuesday night.

The source said the conversation will last about 20 minutes.

It will focus on the deep ties between the two countries and how the alliance can benefit global security and prosperity, but will also make some warnings about the United States acting alone on this issue and reference to NATO and Ukraine.

The Trump administration has repeatedly criticized other members of the U.S.-led military alliance for not offering more assistance to U.S. military operations against Iran and has pushed European countries to share more of the financial burden of supporting Ukraine against Russia’s invasion.

The King will also touch upon his pride in serving in the Royal Navy and its deep defence, intelligence and security ties; those ties have been strained by Trump’s criticism of Britain’s military capabilities.

Although it was written on the advice of the British government, much of the language and tone came from Charles himself, the source said.

The British government hopes the visit will strengthen the transatlantic relationship by attracting the attention of Trump, an ardent admirer of the British royal family who has often described Charles as a “great man”.

Charles will also address the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on Saturday.

The visit began Monday with Charles and Camilla meeting Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for a private tea at the White House, followed by a garden party at the British ambassador’s residence where they mingled with media leaders, Washington socialites and U.S. officials.

On Wednesday, the royal family will be in New York City to commemorate those killed in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, and the trip will culminate in Virginia on Thursday, where the king meets with people interested in conservation that reflects his longstanding environmental advocacy.

He will then go to Bermuda.

(Reporting by Nandita Bose and Patricia Zengerle in Washington; Additional reporting by Michael Holden in London; Writing by Daniel Trotta; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Timothy Heritage)