Kamal Ghorui
King Charles III will on Tuesday deliver a rare address to a joint session of the US Congress, where he is expected to call for “reconciliation and renewal” in ties between the United States and United Kingdom, amid strains over the Iran war.The address, the first by a British monarch since Queen Elizabeth II’s speech in 1991, is expected to run about 20 minutes and focus on reinforcing the long-standing alliance between the two countries, even as political differences persist.King Charles III, accompanied by Queen Camilla, arrived on Monday at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, where he was received by US chief of protocol Monica Crowley and British ambassador Sir Christian Turner, alongside a ceremonial welcome featuring national anthems. He later met Donald Trump and Melania Trump at the White House for tea, before attending a garden reception at the British embassy, AFP reported.The visit marks the 250th anniversary of US independence and is being seen as a soft power effort by London to stabilise ties at a delicate moment. Security in Washington has been tightened following a shooting at the White House dinner attended by Trump, which King Charles III is expected to briefly reference in his speech while expressing sympathy.His address comes against the backdrop of tensions between Trump and Keir Starmer, after Britain declined to support US-led military action against Iran. Trump has publicly criticised Starmer, saying their relationship was “not good at all.” He has also repeatedly criticised the British prime minister over his opposition to the war, as well as his government’s immigration and energy policies. Starmer, while publicly critical of the war, has defended the state visit.According to royal aides, King Charles III will acknowledge such differences, while stressing continuity in the partnership, noting that “time and again, our two countries have always found ways to come together.” He is expected to describe the alliance as “one of the greatest alliances in history” and underline the need for unity in the face of global challenges.King Charles III will emphasise that defending democratic values is “crucial for liberty and equality,” and advocate cooperation on shared priorities including Nato, the Middle East, Ukraine and the AUKUS pact. He is also expected to highlight values of tolerance and peace, describing the transatlantic alliance as rooted in a “generosity of spirit” and a duty to foster mutual understanding.The British monarch will receive a full ceremonial welcome at the White House on Tuesday, including a 21-gun salute and inspection of troops, before his address and a state dinner hosted by Trump. The royal couple will travel to New York on Wednesday, including a visit to the 9/11 memorial, before departing for Bermuda on Thursday.
