King Charles set to address Congress and share his vision for the US-UK special relationship

Svar Nanan-Sen
Wed, 01 Apr 2026 13:41:59 +0000

King Charles has been formally invited to deliver an address before a joint meeting of the United States Congress, in what promises to be a landmark moment for transatlantic relations.

The invitation was extended by Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House of Representatives, on behalf of bipartisan congressional leadership.

His Majesty is scheduled to speak on Tuesday, April 28, during his forthcoming visit to the American capital.

The address will take place in Washington DC, marking a significant occasion for both nations as they celebrate their enduring partnership.

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The timing of the King's congressional appearance carries particular resonance, coinciding with America's celebration of 250 years since independence.

In his letter, Speaker Johnson acknowledged that the bond between Britain and America represents "one of the most consequential partnerships in modern history."

He noted this relationship extends beyond mere shared interests, invoking the late Queen Elizabeth II's 1991 address to Congress in which she spoke of a shared "spirit of democracy."

The Speaker emphasised that the American experiment endures partly because of the British tradition from which it emerged.

He expressed that the address would offer His Majesty "a unique opportunity to share your vision for the future of our special relationship and reaffirm our alliance at this pivotal time in history."

On Tuesday, Buckingham Palace confirmed that King Charles and Queen Camilla will undertake a State Visit to the United States in late April, coinciding with America's 250th anniversary of independence.

The visit comes at the invitation of the US President and on the advice of the British Government.

Keir Starmer will be hoping the State Visit will help improve the special relationship between the UK and US following a prologued period of tension between the Prime Minister and President Donald Trump.

A statement from Buckingham Palace said: "Their Majesties' programme will celebrate the historic connections and the modern bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States, marking the 250th anniversary of American Independence."

During his years as Prince of Wales, King Charles visited the United States on 19 separate occasions, including a joint official tour with Camilla in 2005.

The late Queen Elizabeth II conducted four outward State Visits to America throughout her reign, travelling there in 1957, 1976, 1991 and 2007.

In the opposite direction, four US Presidents have made inward State Visits to the United Kingdom since 1952, with visits taking place in 2003, 2011, 2019 and most recently in 2025.