WASHINGTON — Britain’s King Charles III is scheduled to address a joint session of Congress during a Washington visit planned for late April, marking the first occasion in more than three decades that a British monarch will speak before U.S. lawmakers.
Congressional leadership announced the historic address on Wednesday, noting it coincides with America’s 250th anniversary of declaring independence from Britain. The royal visit occurs during a period of diplomatic strain between the longtime allies.
Tensions have emerged as President Donald Trump’s “America First” approach has raised questions about U.S. dedication to European partnerships, while Britain has refused to back American military involvement in the conflict with Iran.
Despite these challenges, congressional leaders highlighted the enduring bond between both nations.
“The American experiment endures in no small part because of the British tradition from which it sprang,” wrote House Speaker Mike Johnson, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer in their invitation to Charles. “We believe an Address to Congress will provide a unique opportunity to share your vision for the future of our special relationship and reaffirm our alliance at this pivotal time in history.”
Across the Atlantic, some British Parliament members have urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to call off Charles’s state visit in response to Trump’s criticism over Britain’s refusal to support the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. Starmer has chosen to move forward with the visit, which may help reduce war-related tensions.
British royal state visits have long served as diplomatic tools to strengthen international relationships. Queen Elizabeth II last delivered a congressional address in 1991.
However, some legislators plan to use the royal visit to advance their probe into Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse network. Democratic Representative Ro Khanna has written to Charles requesting a private meeting between the king and Epstein abuse survivors.
“I respectfully ask that you privately meet with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s and Ghislaine Maxwell’s abuse, so they may speak to you directly about the ways powerful individuals and institutions failed them. Survivors want this meeting,” Khanna stated in his letter.
Britain has faced intense examination of Epstein’s connections to influential government figures. Charles removed his brother, formerly Prince Andrew, from royal duties and stripped his titles last year following mounting pressure over Andrew’s Epstein associations.
Several American lawmakers have noted that accountability efforts regarding Epstein have progressed further in Britain and other European nations compared to the United States.
Epstein died by suicide in a New York detention facility in 2019 while facing trial. Maxwell received a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking but continues appealing her conviction, claiming new evidence reveals constitutional violations during her proceedings.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Prince Andrew, continues to deny any criminal wrongdoing.
