Buckingham Palace issues statement after King Charles receives 13 standing ovations

Dorothy Reddin
Tue, 28 Apr 2026 20:59:46 +0000

Buckingham Palace has issued a statement after King Charles received an extraordinary 13 standing ovations throughout his 20-minute speech in Washington.

King Charles entered the history books this evening by becoming the first British King ever to deliver an address to a joint session of Congress.

His late mother Queen Elizabeth II had previously addressed Congress in 1991, making Charles only the second British sovereign to be afforded this honour.

The chamber was packed with almost every seat occupied as anticipation built before his arrival.

Members of Congress from both parties escorted him into the chamber, where he shook hands with nearly everyone along his path.

A Palace spokesman responded to the remarkable reception by telling GB News: "The King was deeply honoured to have been invited to be the first British King to give such an address and was greatly touched by the warmth and generosity of the response he received."

The 13 standing ovations represented a significant increase compared to Queen Elizabeth's appearance 35 years ago, when she received three during her historic speech.

The warm welcome came at what has been described as a challenging period for transatlantic relations, with the British Government hoping the State Visit would reinforce long-term bonds between the two nations.

Throughout his address, the King emphasised enduring partnership, democratic values and the shared principles binding both nations together.

He described the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom as "more important today than it has ever been" and "one of the most consequential Alliances in human history."

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The speech touched upon current global challenges without directly naming specific conflicts, referencing uncertainty and turmoil stretching from Europe to the Middle East.

Charles also acknowledged the recent shooting incident near the Capitol, declaring with what he called "unshakeable resolve" that acts of violence would never succeed in undermining democratic institutions.