Washington.- King Charles III of the United Kingdom urged this Tuesday, in a speech before the Congress of United States, to support Ukraine against Russia and defended the role of NATO in a context of criticism from the Administration of Donald Trump against the Atlantic Alliance.
The monarch recalled that London and Washington have “fought shoulder to shoulder” in the Second World War, the Cold War and the one in Afghanistan, and stated that “that same unwavering determination is necessary for the defense of Ukraine and its brave people, in order to ensure a truly just and lasting peace”.
In the first speech by a British monarch to Congress since Elizabeth II’s in 1991, Charles III emphasized that “NATO is committed to mutual defense, protecting citizens and keeping North America and Europe safe from common adversaries.”
Likewise, he recalled that the Atlantic Alliance invoked its Article 5 of collective defense for the first time after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
El rey Carlos III de Inglaterra durante un discurso ante una sesión conjunta del Congreso en el Capitolio de Estados Unidos, en Washington D. C., EE. UU.. EFE/EPA/Jim Lo Scalzo
The King made a plea for the defensive ties between Washington and London and highlighted that American military personnel and their families are stationed in the United Kingdom and vice versa.
He also highlighted the joint F-35 fighter jet manufacturing project, as well as the submarine program being developed by the Aukus alliance between the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, which he called “the most ambitious in history.”
“We do not undertake these remarkable projects out of sentimentality. We do it because they strengthen our shared resilience for the future, making our citizens safer for generations to come,” he declared.
The bilateral relationship is «unbreakable»
«As President Trump himself observed during his state visit to Great Britain last autumn: the bond of kinship and identity between the United States and the United Kingdom is invaluable and eternal. It is irreplaceable and unbreakable,» he declared in his speech at the Capitol, the first by a British monarch since Elizabeth II in 1991.
Recalling the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States, which is commemorated this year, the King stated that the association between both countries “was born of disagreement, but is no less strong for it.”
He underscored the democratic values shared between both nations and pointed out: “when we have found that way of agreeing, great changes have occurred not only for the benefit of our peoples, but for all peoples.”
El rey Carlos III de Inglaterra pronuncia un discurso ante una sesión conjunta del Congreso. EFE/EPA/Kylie Cooper
He also quoted Starmer himself: “As my Prime Minister said last month: ‘ours is an indispensable alliance.'”
The monarch concluded his speech explaining that the common history is “a history of reconciliation, renewal and an extraordinary partnership” and that Washington and London have forged “one of the most transcendental alliances in human history.”
«I pray with all my heart that our alliance continues to defend our shared values, together with our partners in Europe, the Commonwealth and around the world, and that we ignore the calls that invite us to become increasingly isolationist,» he added.
Thus, he called for both countries to “recommit to each other, in selfless service to our peoples and to all the peoples of the world.”
Condemnation of the attack against Trump
Charles III began his speech with a condemnation of the assassination attempt against Trump. “We also gather after the incident that occurred not far from this great building, which sought to attack the leadership of his nation and sow broader fear and discord. Let me say with unwavering determination: such acts of violence will never succeed,” he declared from the podium in the Capitol, in a ceremony attended by Vice President JD Vance, but not Trump.
“Whatever our differences, whatever our disagreements, we remain united in our commitment to defend democracy, to protect all our peoples from harm, and to honor the valor of those who risk their lives every day in the service of our countries,” added Charles III in the first speech by a monarch in the Capitol since that of Elizabeth II in 1991.
The visit was maintained despite the assassination attempt against Trump and part of his government last Saturday at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, but security protocols were reviewed.
