Washington DC —
Britain’s King Charles III will emphasize Britain’s long history and democratic values that it shares with the United States in a speech to a joint session of Parliament on Tuesday, amid an unusually deteriorating relationship between the two countries.
The speech, expected to last about 20 minutes, will begin with a show of solidarity and talk about how the United States and Britain stand side by side. He said the 250th anniversary of independence brings “the highest respect and friendship from the British people to the American people,” and is expected to refer to Saturday’s shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Prince Charles has to strike a delicate balance on this state visit. The British monarch is constitutionally obliged to remain above politics and can only represent Britain, not the British government. At the same time, his presence signals the soft power the British government is seeking to harness – Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper attended a garden party on Monday, where she told CNN the king’s visit was crucial for “people-to-people ties” between the two countries.
President Trump’s love for the glitz and glamor of the royal family makes the British monarchy a valuable asset for the British government as it seeks to maintain strong ties between the two countries.
Events such as Monday’s garden party, where Prince Charles and Queen Camilla mingled with various guests, and the royal family’s private tea with President Trump and first lady Melania Trump at the White House, were typical displays of such flamboyance. Before addressing Congress, Charles will also meet privately with the president.
The speech is expected to include remarks acknowledging recent tensions between the two countries, after President Trump has repeatedly attacked British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his government for not showing full support for the U.S. attack on Iran.
Acknowledging this, Prince Charles highlighted the common bonds between the old allies, saying the foundations of both countries’ “democratic, legal and social traditions” dating back to Magna Carta meant “time and time again, our two countries have always found a way to come together.”
He speaks of the military alliance between the two countries, noting that it is “measured in decades, not years.”
Speeches also include a personal touch. Charles will speak about his faith and his belief that there is in the hearts of both countries “a spirit of generosity and a duty to foster compassion, promote peace, deepen mutual understanding and cherish people of all faiths and those of no faith.”
The president will conclude by articulating the overarching message of the visit, emphasizing that the two countries’ shared history is one of “reconciliation and rebirth” that has created “one of the greatest alliances in human history.”
A state dinner will be held Tuesday night, with Charles and Trump leading the toast.
