Britain's King Charles III stressed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and strongly appealed for support for Ukraine in a U.S. Congress address, underscoring transatlantic alliance unity. The move is seen as a subtle check on U.S. President Donald Trump's recent isolationist foreign policy line and a call for the traditional solidarity long maintained by the West.
According to a compilation of major outlets including Fox News and Politico on the 28th (local time), Charles III, in a joint address to the Senate and House held at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., stressed the indispensable partnership among allies. It was the first time in 35 years that a British monarch took the U.S. congressional rostrum since Queen Elizabeth II in 1991.
On a state visit to mark the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, Charles III invoked the Magna Carta and outlined the principle of checks and balances on executive power. Charles III said, "The challenges we face are too great for any one nation to bear alone," and "We must never take for granted all that has sustained us over the past 80 years."
In particular, recalling that NATO first invoked its collective defense clause right after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, he emphasized that "that same firm resolve is needed now to defend Ukraine and the brave people there." With an apparent nod to the Trump administration's push to expand fossil fuels, he urged, "Our generation must decide how to respond to a profound breakdown in natural systems."
The address came amid security tensions that have flared since the launch of the Trump administration. Earlier, President Trump had harshly criticized allies, noting Britain's refusal to provide military support during armed clashes with Iran. But at the official White House welcome ceremony, President Trump, greeting Charles III, said, "No nation has been a closer friend to Americans than Britain," and "We share the same values and have defended the same civilization under the red, white and blue flag," offering a warm reception. Shortly after a private meeting, he told reporters, "It was a really good meeting."
Diplomatic circles said Charles III's measured diplomatic rhetoric stood out during the visit. Despite President Trump's downplaying of alliances, Britain appears to be using Charles III's U.S. trip as a springboard to find a breakthrough to repair ties with Washington.
James Lyons, who served as communications director in the office of U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, said in an interview with the political outlet Politico, "The king did not shy away from contentious areas such as Ukraine, NATO and defense spending," adding, "He framed these issues in a way that appealed to the better nature of the United States and emphasized that Britain had done its part."