King Charles III delivered a historic address to the US Congress, calling for better relations between Britain and the US and delivering subtle jabs at his host, US President Donald Trump. The Monarch’s visit to the US was to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the two countries' special relationship. However, it is being billed as a rescue mission, given the current strained relations between the two countries, stemming in part from Britain’s reluctance to fully back the Iran war. Charles did not waste any time addressing the current state of the world, describing it as “times of great uncertainty” that confront both the US and UK. He listed conflicts in the Middle East and Europe, and warned that political violence at the recent White House Correspondents’ Dinner is a threat to democracy. Charles acknowledged that the two countries haven’t always seen eye to eye, saying, “With the spirit of 1776 in our minds… we can perhaps agree that we do not always agree.” He added that US executive power, “subject to checks and balances,” stems from a British legal tradition in the Magna Carta that has formed a core principle of the US Constitution. Such remarks prompted cheers, beginning on the Democratic side of the chamber, which frequently denounces Trump for what they view as his abuse of power. The Monarch then praised NATO, which Trump has been a vocal critic of, noting that the commitment and expertise of the US Armed Forces and its allies lie at the heart of NATO. He also took the opportunity to mention the Royal Navy, which Trump has previously criticized, noting his time in the service. Charles did not, however, reference the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in his remarks or address his victims, despite speculation that he would at least acknowledge the issue.
