Read King Charles’ US Congress speech in full as he cracks jokes at Trump and hails alliance
The King has acknowledged victims of sexual abuse in the wake of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal highlighting in a speech to Congress the “collective strength” of the UK and US to support survivors.
And he said when Britain and America drew on their common values to come together: “This, I believe, is the special ingredient in our relationship”.
Charles is only the second British monarch to address a joint session of Congress. His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, delivered a similar speech in 1991 highlighting the historic ties between both countries and the importance of their democratic values.
You can read his full speech below:
Nicole Wootton-Cane29 April 2026 12:00
Mapped: Where will King Charles travel on the US state visit?
Nicole Wootton-Cane29 April 2026 11:45
King Charles US visit schedule: When will he meet 9/11 survivors and what is Camilla doing today?
During their visit, they will also meet with first responders and families of those who were killed that day.
As part of a visit to the New York Public Library’s permanent treasures collection at 2pm local time (7pm BST), the Queen will give a specially made toy of Winnie-the-Pooh character Roo to the library to complete a set of the beloved characters in one of the institution’s collections.
The library is home to the teddy bears which belonged to Christopher Robin, son of Winnie-the-Pooh creator A A Milne, believed to have inspired the stories first published in 1926. While Winnie, Tigger, Piglet, Kanga and Eeyore are all on display, the original baby kangaroo toy, Roo, was lost in an apple orchard in the 1930s.
The Roo toy was made specifically for the visit by traditional British teddy bear makers Merrythought, who produced the original toys.
You can read more about their four-day schedule below:
Nicole Wootton-Cane29 April 2026 11:30
When will King Charles and Camilla arrive in New York?
King Charles and Camilla will travel to New York on Wednesday on the third day of their royal trip to the US.
They are expected to attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the 9/11 memorial in Manhattan at 1pm before visiting a number of other engagements throughout the day.
Nicole Wootton-Cane29 April 2026 11:15
King Charles praises world’s 9/11 response in clarion call for Nato and Ukraine after Trump’s criticism
King Charles told Congress on Tuesday the United States lies at “the heart” of Nato in an apparent rebuke to president Donald Trump’s threats to leave the alliance.
In a historic address, he said Britain had committed to the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, addressing the president’s claims the US has propped up Europe in military power.
“From the depths of the Atlantic to the disastrously melting ice caps of the Arctic, the commitment and expertise of the United States Armed Forces and its allies lie at the heart of Nato, pledged to each other’s defence, protecting our citizens and interests, keeping North Americans and Europeans safe from our common adversaries,” he said.
“Our defence, intelligence and security ties are hardwired together through relationships measured not in years, but in decades.”
You can read more about the King’s comments to Congress below:
Nicole Wootton-Cane29 April 2026 11:00
Watch: King Charles’ mischievous response to US comedian’s royal impersonationKing Charles’ mischievous response to US comedian’s royal impersonation
Nicole Wootton-Cane29 April 2026 10:45
White House calls Trump and Charles ‘Two Kings’ as monarch makes checks and balances plea to Congress
As the royal praised American democracy to cheers and applause from lawmakers, the White House posted an image on X of Charles and Trump earlier in the day.
It comes after “No Kings” protests against Trump have sprung up across the country both this year and last, drawing in massive crowds rallying against what they see as the president’s authoritarianism. An estimated 7 million Americans took part in 2,100 “No Kings” protests this past October.
Nicole Wootton-Cane29 April 2026 10:30
Fox News hosts and tech billionaires among full guest list for King Charles’ state dinner with Trump
The White House state dinner for King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted high-ranking British and American politicians, Supreme Court justices, and some of the world’s most powerful tech leaders on Tuesday.
To honour the relationship between the US and the UK, the formal state dinner drew a wide-ranging guest list that featured Jeff Bezos, Yvette Cooper, Apple CEO Tim Cook, and Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy.
You can read the complete guest list below:
Nicole Wootton-Cane29 April 2026 10:15
Analysis: King Charles’ speech was delightfully detached from reality — and very inconvenient for Trump
The king spoke of shared values and traditions that Trump has long abandoned — and made some pointed references to ‘checks and balances’ needed to restrain the presidency, reports Holly Baxter.
Nicole Wootton-Cane29 April 2026 10:00
Why King Charles’ meeting with NYC mayor Mamdani is raising eyebrows
King Charles is set to attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the 9/11 memorial in New York on Wednesday among a number of officials.
One of those is reported to be the city’s mayor Zohran Mamdani, who is the son of prominent Ugandan postcolonial theorist Mahmood Mamdani.
The mayor’s father’s research centres around British imperialism – a project Charles’ ancestors oversaw.
Zohran Mamdani’s team has said he will not have a private audience with the King during his visit.
In a statement to Politico, a spokesperson from the mayor’s office said: “The mayor will not meet privately with King Charles.
“He was invited to join a number of New York elected officials next week at a wreath laying at the 9/11 memorial with members of the British royal family.”
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani will attend an event with the King later today (Getty)
Nicole Wootton-Cane29 April 2026 09:45