WASHINGTON, April 28 (Reuters) – Britain’s King Charles told the U.S. Congress on Tuesday that despite an age of uncertainty and conflict in Europe and the Middle East, the UK and the U.S. will always be staunch allies united in defending democracy, at a time of deep divisions between the two long-time allies over the war with Iran.
“Whatever our differences, whatever disagreements we may have, we stand united in our commitment to uphold democracy, to protect all our people from harm, 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 Senate and House of Representatives, and after a prolonged standing ovation at his entrance with Queen Camilla.
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In a speech that Buckingham Palace said beforehand would not be political, Charles also made references to President Donald Trump’s criticism of NATO, highlighted the importance of continued U.S. help for Ukraine in its war with Russia, the dangers of isolationism, and even a call for the safeguarding of nature, an important issue to the king for most of his life.
Trump has been highly critical of NATO and European allies, most recently over their reluctance to provide military help in the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. Trump has also been ambivalent about prolonged U.S. financial and military aid to Ukraine.
Charles referred to the September 11, 2001, attacks, saying, “we answered the call together, as our people have done so for more than a century, shoulder to shoulder through two world wars, the Cold War, Afghanistan and moments that have defined our shared security today. Mr. Speaker, that same unyielding resolve is needed for the defense of Ukraine, and her most courageous people.”
Later, at a state banquet at the White House, Trump said that Charles did not want Iran to have a nuclear weapon, a statement the king did not comment on.
“We’re doing a little Middle East work right now and we’re doing very well,” Trump said at the dinner. “We have militarily defeated that particular opponent, and we’re never going to let that opponent ever — Charles agrees with me even more than I do — we’re never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon.”
In his own comments after Trump spoke, Charles did not speak about Iran or the Iran war. The king is not a spokesman for the U.K. government.
Downing Street and Buckingham Palace did not immediately respond to questions about Trump’s comments about Iran.
Earlier, in his comments to Congress, in what appeared to be a reference to Trump’s “America First” agenda, Charles added, “I pray with all my heart that our lands will continue to defend our shared values with our partners in Europe and the Commonwealth, and across the world, and that we ignore the clarion calls to become ever more inward-looking.”
The king was only the second British sovereign to address the U.S. Congress. His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, spoke to both houses in 1991.
Later Charles met with U.S. tech leaders, discussing challenges for early-stage startups as the UK touts itself as a top destination for technology firms.
Among the leaders Charles met with were Amazon (AMZN.O), opens new tab founder Jeff Bezos, Apple (AAPL.O), opens new tab CEO Tim Cook, Nvidia (NVDA.O), opens new tab CEO Jensen Huang, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD.O), opens new tab CEO Lisa Su, Salesforce (CRM.N), opens new tab CEO Marc Benioff and Alphabet (GOOGL.O), opens new tab President Ruth Porat.
