King Charles calls for unity in rare royal address to Congress

[0:00] The King and Queen of England were received with high diplomatic fanfare this morning [0:04] at the White House, day two of the royal visit. [0:07] This afternoon, King Charles became just the second monarch to address Congress. [0:11] In this, the 250th anniversary of America declaring independence from the King's five-times [0:18] great-grandfather, it's King George III. [0:21] Nick Schifrin reports. [0:30] Today at a rainy White House, there was pomp and pageantry, preening and praising. [0:38] And after this military ceremony, the U.S.'s highest diplomatic honor, President Trump [0:43] did what Brits do when things might get a little bit awkward. [0:47] Talk about the weather. [0:48] What a beautiful British day this is. [0:54] President Trump is the son of a Scot, and today recalled his mother's fondness for everything [0:59] royal, especially a man Trump today called a blessing. [1:02] I also remember saying very clearly, Charles, look, young Charles, he's so [1:11] cute. [1:14] My mother had a crush on Charles. [1:18] Can you believe it? [1:20] Amazing how I wonder what she's thinking right now. [1:25] And President Trump celebrated what he called the free world forged together 80 years ago [1:30] by President Franklin Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. [1:34] That understanding of our nation's unique bond and role in history is the essence of [1:39] our special relationship, and we hope it will always remain that way. [1:46] This is not Winston Churchill that we're dealing with. [1:49] But it was only last month President Trump disparaged the special relationship, after the [1:55] U.K. declined U.S. request to use British bases to attack Iran. [1:59] And I'm not, by the way, I'm not happy with the U.K. either. [2:03] And so today, a king who is officially apolitical met in the Oval Office with the bust of Churchill [2:09] over the president's shoulder, flanked by both countries' top diplomats and officials [2:14] for a moment the British government hopes can help reset the relationship. [2:19] But European concern runs deeper. [2:21] Today, the Financial Times published a February recording of British ambassador to the U.S. [2:26] Christian Turner questioning just how much the U.K. can still rely on the U.S. [2:30] Special relationship is a phrase I try not to utter, because it's quite nostalgic, it's [2:38] quite backwards-looking, and it has a lot of sort of faggage about it. [2:41] I think there is probably one country that has a special relationship with the United States, [2:47] not openly different. [2:49] When Europe can't just rely on a U.S. security emperor, so the relationship will carry on if [2:56] you want things special, but I see you turn around if you do. [2:58] MILES O' Different because President Trump's questioning European sovereignty and doubting [3:03] the U.S.' commitment to NATO has led to European doubts the U.S. will keep providing Europe security. [3:09] Even if, in a statement today, the British government called Turner's words, quote, [3:13] private informal comments made to a group of U.K. high school students, [3:17] they are certainly not any reflection of the U.K. government's position. [3:20] MILES O' America's words carry weight and meaning, as they have since independence. [3:29] The actions of this great nation matter even more. [3:33] MILES O' And so this afternoon, for only the second time in almost exactly 250 years [3:38] of separated history, a British monarch addressed a joint meeting of Congress with an appeal to unity. [3:44] Whatever our differences, whatever disagreements we may have, we stand united in our commitment [3:52] to uphold democracy, to protect all our people from harm, and to salute the courage of those [4:01] who daily risk their lives in the service of our countries. [4:05] MILES O' That line, an echo of the first and before today only British monarch to address [4:10] a joint session of Congress, Charles' mother, Queen Elizabeth II, 35 years ago. [4:14] MILES O' The best progress is made when Europeans and Americans act in concert. [4:20] MILES O' It is an era that is in many ways more volatile and more dangerous than the [4:27] world to which my late mother spoke. [4:29] MILES O' But even if, in a soothing baritone, King Charles did not avoid drawing British distinction [4:35] in his British way with the Trump administration. [4:38] MILES O' We must also reflect on our shared responsibility to safeguard nature. [4:44] MILES O' That same unyielding resolve is needed for the defense of Ukraine and her [4:51] most courageous people. [4:53] MILES O' We answered the call together, as our people have done so for more than a [4:57] century, shoulder to shoulder. [4:59] MILES O' But, today, that implicit criticism did not dampen the president's riding royal [5:05] coattails, the White House posting this photo with the caption, to Kings. [5:09] MILES O' But what King Charles did not mention today, his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, [5:15] who has been stripped of his titles for his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and Epstein's [5:19] victims. [5:20] And the king will not meet those victims during this trip to the U.S. [5:24] Today, the family of Virginia Giuffre, a victim of Epstein who died last year, said both the [5:29] king and President Trump should have delivered a message that they stand with survivors. [5:34] MILES O' The king's lawyers told Rep. Ro Khanna the king supported all victims of abuse, [5:39] but because of ongoing police inquiries, he was unable to meet with those survivors.