King Charles III delivered an address to a joint session of the US Congress on April 28, praising the “unbreakable” bond between the United States and the United Kingdom while acknowledging ongoing “differences and disagreements” between the two allies.
Charles emphasized the shared values underpinning the relationship, saying both nations remain committed “to uphold democracy, to protect all our people from harm, and to salute the courage of those who daily risk their lives in the service of our countries.”
“Ours is a partnership born out of dispute, but no less strong for it… So perhaps, in this example, we can discern that our Nations are in fact instinctively like-minded – a product of the common democratic, legal and social traditions in which our governance is rooted to this day,” he said, also quoting President Donald Trump calling the US-UK bond “irreplaceable and unbreakable.”
A key moment in the speech came when Charles referenced the historical significance of the Magna Carta, noting that it has been cited in at least 160 US Supreme Court cases since 1789 as a foundation for the principle that executive power is subject to checks and balances. The remark drew a boisterous round of applause from lawmakers, including Republicans.
The Magna Carta, a 1215 charter that limited the power of England’s King John, established that the monarch is subject to the law and introduced principles such as the right to a fair trial and protection against arbitrary imprisonment—cornerstones of modern constitutional governance.
The applause and Charles’ remarks sparked backlash online, where some users mocked Republicans for cheering the reference. One user wrote on X, “Clown ass republicans don't even realize what they are clapping for. Trump would be angry if he knew what the Magna Carta was.”
The moment also comes amid criticism that Trump has been testing the limits of executive power, with actions that typically require congressional approval, while Republicans in Congress have done little to push back or hold him accountable.
Charles also addressed global instability, pointing to conflicts from Europe to the Middle East and warning of the broader impact on communities in both nations.
“We meet in times of great uncertainty; in times of conflict from Europe to the Middle East which pose immense challenges for the international community and whose impact is felt in communities the length and breadth of our own countries,” he said.
He referenced a recent assassination attempt against Trump at a Washington media dinner, condemning political violence. “We meet, too, in the aftermath of the incident not far from this great building that sought to harm the leadership of your Nation and to foment wider fear and discord. Let me say with unshakeable resolve: such acts of violence will never succeed.”
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