King Charles III set to address US Congress later this month amid shifting US-UK relations

King Charles III is set to deliver a historic address to the United States Congress during his visit to Washington in late April, marking the first time in over three decades that a British monarch will speak before a joint meeting of American lawmakers . The last such address was delivered by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991.

The invitation, extended by top congressional leaders including Mike Johnson , Hakeem Jeffries , John Thune , and Chuck Schumer , comes as part of commemorations marking the 250th anniversary of US independence . In a joint letter, leaders emphasized the enduring transatlantic alliance rooted in shared democratic traditions.

The visit unfolds at a delicate moment in US-UK relations. Tensions have surfaced over diverging foreign policy priorities , particularly under Donald Trump’s “America First” approach , which has raised concerns about Washington’s commitment to European allies. The United Kingdom, led by Keir Starmer, has declined to support US involvement in the Iran conflict , highlighting a rare policy gap between the two nations.

Despite these strains, recent diplomatic efforts signal a push to stabilise ties . Both countries are expanding cooperation in defence, intelligence sharing, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity , while also exploring new trade and investment frameworks . These developments point to a broader attempt to modernise the alliance amid shifting global dynamics.

The state visit itself is widely seen as a strategic reset moment . The ceremonial influence of the monarchy has long been used to reinforce diplomatic goodwill, and King Charles III’s address is expected to reaffirm shared values while outlining a forward-looking vision for cooperation.

However, the visit is not without controversy. Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna has urged the King to meet privately with survivors linked to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell . The issue remains sensitive, particularly following scrutiny of Prince Andrew’s past associations. Epstein died in 2019 while awaiting trial, while Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence .

While political and ethical challenges persist, the upcoming address is expected to serve as a symbolic and substantive reaffirmation of one of the world’s most significant alliances at a time of global uncertainty.