In the state visit to the other side of the English Channel since Monday, Charles III enters the highlight of his visit on Tuesday, April 28, with a solemn reception at the White House and a speech before Congress, amid tensions between London and Washington over the Iran war. Excerpts of his speech provided by Buckingham’s press service indicate that the King of England is expected to discuss the historical ties between the UK and the United States, two countries that have always found ways to come together. The king is also expected to express solidarity in his speech following the assassination attempt on Donald Trump on Saturday, April 25, during the White House correspondents’ dinner.
A context of tension between the United States and the United Kingdom: Before addressing American lawmakers, Charles III and Queen Camilla will be formally welcomed at the White House by Donald and Melania Trump with 21-gun salutes and a troop review. This official visit is the first since Queen Elizabeth II’s visit in 2007. Donald Trump and Charles III will then have a private conversation in the Oval Office, while their wives will participate in an event on education and artificial intelligence. They will return to the White House at the end of the day for a banquet.
This will only be the second time a British sovereign has spoken at the Capitol, following Elizabeth II’s speech in 1991. Charles III will speak in a context of tensions within the “special relationship” between London and Washington, which he is expected to present as “one of the greatest alliances in human history.” His speech is expected to last about twenty minutes.
Despite his personal fondness for the king, a “great guy” in his words, Donald Trump has not held back on his criticism of Prime Minister Keir Starmer due to London’s reservations about the Iran war. The Labour leader has notably refused the use of British bases in the initial American strikes.
Defense of democratic values: In this context, Charles III intends to emphasize that the defense of democratic values is “essential for freedom and equality” in the face of international challenges, and will highlight the multiple alliances like NATO that bind the two countries. The 77-year-old king will briefly speak in the evening during the State dinner, planned in a smaller room at the White House compared to the vast ballroom under construction where Donald Trump holds many events.
On Wednesday, the royal couple will visit the 9/11 Memorial in New York before flying to the British territory of Bermuda in the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday.
