King Charles III addressed a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, the second day of his US state visit, urging stronger transatlantic cooperation ahead of America's 250th independence anniversary. The British monarch emphasized the US-UK alliance amid global tensions including the Russia-Ukraine war and Middle East conflicts, earning a standing ovation. The speech followed White House ceremonies and gift exchanges with President Donald Trump.
Following their arrival on Monday and initial White House tea with President Trump and first lady Melania Trump—including a beehive tour and garden party—the royal couple participated in Tuesday's formal White House arrival ceremony with military honors, remarks, guest book signing, and an Oval Office meeting.
Charles presented Trump with a reproduction of the 1879 Resolute Desk design plans from HMS Resolute timbers. Trump reciprocated with a framed 1785 letter from John Adams to John Jay about a post-Revolutionary War meeting with King George III. Melania Trump gifted Queen Camilla six engraved silver Tiffany spoons, while Camilla gave Melania a designer brooch.
Buckingham Palace confirmed the itinerary proceeded despite the April 25 assassination attempt on Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, where suspect Cole Allen was charged Monday. Charles addressed the incident, stating such violence would not succeed.
In his historic address to Congress—the second by a British monarch after Queen Elizabeth II in 1991—Charles stressed alliance needs amid global challenges and NATO solidarity post-9/11. 'The challenges we face are too great for any one nation to bear alone,' he said, praising the Founding Fathers as 'bold and imaginative rebels' from British traditions. Trump called the US-UK shift from adversaries to allies the 'most cherished friendship.'
The visit continues with stops in New York (commemorating 9/11's 25th anniversary and Winnie the Pooh's centenary) and Virginia (conservation meetings) before departure Thursday.
