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King Charles makes historic speech to Congress
2:34 • Source: CNN
King Charles makes historic speech to Congress
2:34
• At the White House: King Charles and Queen Camilla were honored at a state dinner hosted by President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump. It was the first formal white tie event there since President George W. Bush hosted Queen Elizabeth in 2007.
• Toast remarks: The US president hailed the close ties between the two nations. During his toast, the King began by offering sympathies over a shooting Saturday during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner before speaking about the centuries of historic bonds.
• Congress speech: Earlier, Charles addressed a joint meeting of Congress, marking the second time a British monarch has done so. He was warmly welcomed in the chamber, and while much of his speech focused on the kinship between the US and the UK, he also pushed back on several issues that Trump has sparred with Britain over in recent months.
Our live coverage of the second day of King Charles’ state visit to the United States has concluded. Please scroll through the posts below to learn about Tuesday’s developments.
Another day of King Charles’ US state visit is coming to an end, and it was a busy one. The British monarch’s second day in the US began with a meeting with President Donald Trump, was followed by a historic address to a joint meeting of Congress and concluded with a state dinner at the White House.
Here’s what King Charles and Queen Camilla’s second day in the US looked like:
- Morning remarks: Trump welcomed King Charles to the White House with a speech celebrating the evolution of the United States’ relationship with the United Kingdom. The president also paid tribute to his late parents, noting his mother’s ties to the UK in a speech from the White House South Lawn. Trump also reiterated his respect for the royal family, as he joked about a “cute” King Charles.
- The speech to Congress: Then the king delivered an address to the joint meeting of Congress. Charles began his remarks referencing Saturday’s shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, saying such violent acts “will never succeed.” He also remembered his late mother Queen Elizabeth II, praised NATO, emphasized the deep relationship between the UK and the US, and reminded lawmakers that the United States’ influence carries “weight and meaning.”
- The state dinner: Tonight’s state dinner at the White House had quite the guest list, including British royals, Fox News hosts and personalities, cabinet members, politicians, business leaders and executives. During his toast, Trump highlighted the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom. And during his remarks, Charles joked about Trump’s controversial new East Wing ballroom project. The King also presented Trump with the bell from a former British Navy submarine — a gift that also served as a reminder of the importance of military cooperation.
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How King Charles’ speech unified a divided congress
CNN’s Max Foster breaks down King Charles’ historic speech to a joint meeting of the US Congress, where the monarch underscored the enduring bond and shared history between the US and the UK.
1:49 • Source: CNN
How King Charles’ speech unified a divided congress
1:49
President Donald Trump’s comments suggesting King Charles support the US position that Iran should never have a nuclear weapon leave the British monarch in an awkward position.
As a constitutional monarch, Charles is bound to remain above politics, able only to represent the UK rather than speak for its government. Revealing his apparent position on a foreign policy matter puts the King in a tricky spot.
Given this was likely a private conversation, the palace will never confirm what the King’s position is on the matter, but the fact that a seemingly confidential conversation has been revealed in public is another protocol problem.
The longstanding convention is that you never share a conversation had with the monarch. But Charles is not Trump’s monarch — so there is only a hope, rather than an expectation, that he would abide by the custom.
The King went into this trip with the experience that what was said in private may not stay private. On a previous visit to the UK, Trump shared apparent comments from the then-Prince Charles about the climate. The US president also shared some of a conversation he had with the late Queen Elizabeth II.
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King Charles cites NATO’s significance during White House dinner toast
0:41 • Source: CNN
King Charles cites NATO’s significance during White House dinner toast
0:41
King Charles affirmed how important the relationship between the US and UK remains, tracing its roots to World War II.
During his remarks at tonight’s state dinner, Charles highlighted how both nations have supported each other in their “darkest days,” culminating in the establishment of NATO in 1949.
Charles also said both nations must remain committed to supporting Ukraine as Russia’s invasion surpasses four years, and how staying within NATO is significant to prevent further tensions between Europe and North America.
The British royal’s comments come after Trump has openly expressed withdrawing the US from NATO due to what the US president feels is a lack of fellow members’ support for the war with Iran.
King Charles presented President Donald Trump with the bell from a former British Navy submarine during tonight’s remarks — a gift that also served as a reminder of the importance of military cooperation.
After speaking about the value of NATO and AUKUS, the trilateral security partnership between Australia, the UK and the US, Charles gifted Trump a bell from a submarine named HMS Trump, which launched from a UK shipyard in 1944 and played a critical role in the Pacific War, according to Charles.
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Trump claims King Charles agrees with him about Iran not having nuclear weapon
0:16 • Source: CNN
Trump claims King Charles agrees with him about Iran not having nuclear weapon
0:16
President Donald Trump briefly veered into the political, alluding to the US-Israeli war with Iran that has become a source of tension between the United States and the United Kingdom.
“We’re doing a little Middle East work right now,” Trump said, “and we’re doing very well.”
Trump reiterated that the US is never going to let Iran have a nuclear weapon and claimed that Charles agrees.
“We have militarily defeated that particular opponent, and we’re never going to let that opponent ever — Charles agrees with me even more than I do — we’re never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon.”
King Charles III invoked Queen Elizabeth II’s 1957 visit to repair the special relationship between the United States and United Kingdom during his state dinner remarks tonight at the White House.
The King was referencing his mother’s visit to Washington, DC, during the Eisenhower administration.
Some context: Currently, relations between the two nations are at an unusually low ebb as President Donald Trump has repeatedly attacked British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his government for not offering their complete support for the US offensive against Iran.
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King Charles III jokes about Trump’s controversial ballroom project
0:32 • Source: CNN
King Charles III jokes about Trump’s controversial ballroom project
0:32
King Charles joked about President Donald Trump’s controversial new East Wing ballroom project during his remarks at the White House state dinner.
“I’m sorry to say that we British, of course, made our own small attempt at real estate development of the White House in 1814,” Charles said, in an apparent reference to when British troops set fire to the White House.
King Charles opened his remarks at tonight’s state dinner by offering his sympathies to President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and the attendants at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday.
President Donald Trump highlighted the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom while hosting King Charles and Queen Camilla for a state dinner at the White House this evening.
“May our two countries stand together forever for liberty, for justice, and for the glory of God,” Trump said, raising a glass to “250 years of American freedom” and to King Charles himself.
Trump’s warm welcome to the British monarch stands in contrast with how the US president has spoken about Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whom he has criticized for a lack of support with the conflict in Iran.
Earlier today, CNN published a report on a leaked audio recording by Britain’s ambassador to Washington, where he said that the only special relationship the United States has is “probably Israel.”
Aside from the several Fox News hosts and personalities, tonight’s White House state dinner with the British royals will also see Cabinet members, politicians, business leaders and executives.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine are in attendance. CEO of NVIDIA Jensen Huang and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who also owns the Washington Post, are also there.
Conservative Supreme Court justices are on the guest list, including the three President Donald Trump appointees who ruled against his tariffs — Chief Justice John Roberts, Amy Coney Barrett and Neil Gorsuch. Justices Samuel Alito, Brett Kavanaugh and Clarence Thomas are also at the dinner.
Other notable attendees include former owner of the Patriots Robert Kraft, Northern Irish pro golfer Rory McIlroy, who recently made history with two consecutive Masters tournament wins, Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison, and US special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff.
Several Fox News hosts and personalities are at the White House tonight to attend a state dinner with King Charles III and Queen Camilla, according to a guest list provided by the first lady’s office.
Here’s who will be attending:
- Bret Baier of “Special Report with Bret Baier”
- Maria Bartiromo of “Mornings with Maria”
- Political commentator Greg Gutfeld
- Jesse Watters of “Jesse Watters Primetime”
- Co-host of “Fox & Friends” Ainsley Earhardt
- Laura Ingraham of “The Ingraham Angle”
- Co-host of “Fox & Friends” Rachel Campos Duffy
Duffy joined husband US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
Suzanne Scott, the CEO of Fox News Media, is also in attendance.
The White House press pool is covering the state dinner toasts tonight, but it is notable that many anchors who are friendly to Trump are attending as guests.
In King Charles’ historic speech to a joint meeting of the US Congress, he underscored the enduring bond and shared history between the US and the UK.
But even more than that, his words unified a sharply divided branch of government.
CNN’s Max Foster breaks down some of those key moments in the address:
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How King Charles’ speech unified a divided congress
CNN’s Max Foster breaks down King Charles’ historic speech to a joint meeting of the US Congress, where the monarch underscored the enduring bond and shared history between the US and the UK.
1:49 • Source: CNN
How King Charles’ speech unified a divided congress
1:49
First lady Melania Trump is wearing Dior at tonight’s state dinner with King Charles and Queen Camilla.
The first lady walked out on the South Lawn in a pale delphinium pink silk strapless gown by Christian Dior Haute Couture, with off-white Dior suede gloves and pale Dior delphinium silk pumps.
President Donald Trump is wearing a white-tie tuxedo.
The first lady spends months planning details for state visits, including her outfit choices.
After an incredibly busy day, King Charles and Queen Camilla returned to the White House for a state dinner in their honor.
Upon their arrival, a military color guard led the royal couple and their hosts, US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, to the base of the Grand Staircase, where they posed for a photograph.
Pointing to King Charles, Trump said, “He made a great speech. I was very jealous,” referring to his address to Congress earlier today.
The British royals and Trumps were then on their way to the Blue Room, where they will meet the 120 guests of tonight’s grand occasion.
Tonight’s festivities are being held in the East Room and have a white-tie dress code — a rarity for the White House. There hasn’t been such an event in nearly 20 years, when Charles’ mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, was invited to the US by George W. Bush in 2007.
Melania Trump released the menu for tonight’s White House state dinner with King Charles and Queen Camilla, an event the first lady’s office said will honor the special relationship between the US and the UK.
President Donald Trump took an expanded role in planning for this dinner — taking the lead on details such as the guest list and menu selection that traditionally fall to the office of the first lady, with his wife weighing in, according to a source familiar with the planning. Melania Trump focused on the floral design and china selection.
The first course is a garden vegetable velouté with a hearts of palm salad, toasted shallots and micro mint. The second course is a spring herbed ravioli with herbs from the White House Kitchen garden, ricotta and morels. The third course is a dover sole meunière fish with potato pavé, spring ramps, snow peas and parsley oil.
For dessert, guests will be served a beehive-shaped flourless chocolate gâteau with vanilla bean crémeux custard. A nod to the newly installed White House beehives, the dessert will be complemented “with crème fraîche ice cream and White House honey.”
The decor “reflects a shared appreciation for gardens,” the first lady’s office said, and includes cherry blossoms, “towering trees and blossoming garden boxes of lilac” inspired by English gardens.
Green-pleated linens dress the tables, which “are adorned with seasonal blooms of lilac, butterfly ranunculus, phlox, and lily of the valley, underscoring the beauty of spring.”
“Rooted in traditions cherished on both sides of the Atlantic, these details reflect the long and enduring friendship between the United States and the United Kingdom,” the first lady’s office said.
United States military musicians from the Marines, Army and Air Force will perform at the event.
Before getting ready for the state dinner with President Donald Trump, King Charles met with a small group of technology entrepreneurs and sector leaders at Blair House in Washington, DC.
The group included Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Apple CEO Tim Cook, NVIDIA founder Jensen Huang, Google President Ruth Porat and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff. Some of the tech leaders talked about various UK investments and Charles spoke of AI guardrails and malicious actors.
The British monarch talked with Bezos about saving the Amazon rainforest and asked about how he founded the tech company. Bezos recounted getting several rejections and some investors.
Charles compared people passing up investing in Amazon to how many publishers turned down the now wildly popular Harry Potter books.
Bezos also asked how the King’s speech went as the CEOs were in the room waiting for him. “They did laugh, didn’t they?” Charles said, noting his joke about the UK referring to 250 years as “just the other day.”
King Charles was “greatly touched by the warmth and generosity” of the response he received at the joint meeting of Congress this afternoon, Buckingham Palace said.
The speech was a high-stakes diplomatic moment for the British monarch, but he was met with a warm and bipartisan reception.
His speech focused on the overarching theme of unity and deep historical ties between the US and UK. At several points, Charles subtly – but with some force – pushed back on several issues that President Donald Trump has clashed with Britain over in the past few months.
Members of both chambers seemed to enjoy his 20-minute address, listening intently and laughing at the monarch’s jokes and giving him standing ovations.
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Moments from King Charles’ speech to Congress that drew laughter
In a high-stakes, often heavy speech, King Charles still took a few opportunities for humor as he addressed a joint meeting of Congress.
1:03 • Source: CNN
Moments from King Charles’ speech to Congress that drew laughter
1:03
Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna went after King Charles for not mentioning Jeffrey Epstein survivors in his speech and criticized the British ambassador who he said privately suggested the monarch would do so.
The speech did not directly reference Epstein survivors, but there was a part that will be seen as a nod to the group. “In both of our countries, it is the very fact of our vibrant, diverse and free societies that gives us our collective strength, including to support victims of some of the ills that, so tragically, exist in both our societies today,” the King said.
Khanna accused the British royal of missing the moment for failing to directly address the Epstein victims, given that British authorities are investigating his brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor over his Epstein links – something the former prince has repeatedly denied.
Mountbatten-Windsor has denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein and said that he never witnessed or suspected any of the behavior of which the late sex offender was accused.
Without explicit mention of the Epstein survivors, Khanna said Charles’ message on the excesses of executive power was undermined.
Khanna also had strong words for Britain’s ambassador Christian Turner following their private conversation.
“I think he shouldn’t misrepresent things to members of Congress and I’m very disappointed that he did that,” Khanna said.
Pressed by CNN on what Turner told him, Khanna added, “He said he strongly believed that language would be in there. He didn’t make an ironclad commitment, but he said that he was going to recommend it there would be something in there, and obviously there wasn’t. So, he really was not being candid.”
How to show King Charles III the most elevated demonstration of American diplomatic welcome?
White tie and tails, it seems.
When President Donald Trump welcomes the monarch back to the White House this evening for a state dinner, the dress code will convey the stature of the visit, the first by a British sovereign in almost 20 years.
Neither President Barack Obama, Trump during his first term nor President Joe Biden hosted similarly-formal events, opting to welcome presidents, prime ministers and chancellors in black tie.
The differences between the two are somewhat rigid, particularly for men. Instead of a usual tuxedo, the attire consists of a black tail coat, a waistcoat and a white bow tie.
Women opt for full-length evening gowns and — if you’re royal or want to look like one — a tiara.
For Bush, the last president to host such an affair, the formality was a put-off. He was said at the time to have resisted the decision. But first lady Laura Bush prevailed.
“I think Mrs. Bush is thrilled to have a white-tie dinner, and we’ll leave it at that,” Amy Zantzinger, the White House social secretary at the time, said ahead of the dinner.
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