King Charles gives rare address to Congress after meeting with Trump — full coverage

[1:53] Members of Congress, I have the high privilege and distinct honor of presenting to you, His [1:58] Majesty, Charles III. [2:35] Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, members of Congress, representatives of the American people across [2:43] all states, territories, cities, and communities, I would like, if I may, to take this opportunity [2:52] to express my particular gratitude to you all for the great honor of addressing this [2:58] joint meeting of Congress. [3:02] And on behalf of the Queen and myself, to thank the American people for welcoming us to the [3:09] United States to mark this semi-quincentennial year of the Declaration of Independence. [3:18] And for all of that time, our destinies as nations have been interlinked. [3:54] As Oscar Wilde said, we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except of [4:01] course language. [4:07] So ladies and gentlemen, we meet in times of great uncertainty, in times of conflict from [4:15] Europe to the Middle East, which pose immense challenges for the international community, [4:23] and whose impact is felt in communities the length and breadth of our own countries. [4:30] We meet, too, in the aftermath of the incident not far from this great building that sought [4:36] to harm the leadership of your nation and to foment wider fear and discord. [4:44] Let me say, with unshakable resolve, such acts of violence will never succeed. [4:51] In our differences, whatever disagreements we may have, we stand united in our commitment [5:21] to uphold democracy, to protect all our people from harm, and to salute the courage of those [5:30] who daily risk their lives in the service of our countries. [5:36] Standing here today, it is hard not to feel the weight of history on my shoulder, because [5:43] the modern relationship between our two nations and our own peoples spans not merely 250 years, [5:51] but over four centuries. [5:55] It is extraordinary to think that I am the 19th in our line of sovereigns to study with daily [6:02] attention the affairs of America. [6:06] So I come here today with the highest respect for the United States Congress, this citadel of [6:14] democracy created to represent the voice of all American people to advance sacred rights [6:21] and freedoms. [6:24] Speaking in this renowned chamber of debate and deliberation, I cannot help but think of [6:31] my late mother, Queen Elizabeth, who in 1991 was also afforded this signal honour and similarly [6:39] spoke under the watchful eye of the statue of freedom above us. [6:46] Today I am here on this great occasion in the life of our nations to express the highest regard [6:54] and friendship of the British people to the people of the United States. [7:02] Now as you may know, when I address my own Parliament at Westminster, we still follow an age-old tradition [7:09] and take a Member of Parliament hostage, holding him or her at Buckingham Palace until I am [7:18] safely returned. [7:24] These days we look after our guests rather well, to the point that they often do not want to [7:30] leave. [7:35] I don't know, Mr Speaker, if there were any volunteers for that role here today. [7:44] As I look back across the centuries, Mr Speaker, there emerged certain patterns, certain self-evident [7:52] truths from which we can learn and draw mutual strength. [7:57] With a spirit of 1776 in our minds, we can perhaps agree that we do not always agree, at [8:05] least in the first instance. [8:07] Indeed, the very principle on which your Congress was founded, no taxation without representation, [8:16] was at once a fundamental disagreement between us and at the same time a shared democratic [8:21] value which you inherited from us. [8:26] Ours is a partnership born out of dispute but no less strong for it. [8:32] So perhaps in this example, we can discern that our nations are in fact instinctively like-minded, [8:41] a product of the common democratic, legal and social traditions in which our governance [8:48] is rooted to this day. [8:52] Drawing on these values and traditions, time and again, our two countries have always found [8:57] ways to come together. [9:00] And by Jove, Mr Speaker, when we have found that way to agree, what great change is brought [9:06] about? [9:07] Not just for the benefit of our peoples, but of all peoples. [9:14] This I believe is the special ingredient in our relationship. [9:19] As President Trump himself observed during his state visit to Britain last autumn, the [9:25] bond of kinship and identity between America and the United Kingdom is priceless and eternal. [9:32] It is irreplaceable and unbreakable. [10:00] Mr Speaker, this is by no means my first visit to Washington DC, the capital of this great [10:07] republic. [10:09] It is in fact my 20th visit to the United States and my first as King and Head of the Commonwealth. [10:16] This is a city which symbolises a period in our shared history, or what Charles Dickens [10:23] might have called a tale of two Georges. [10:39] First President George Washington and my five times great grandfather, King George III. [10:45] King George, as you know, never set foot in America. [10:49] And please rest assured, ladies and gentlemen, I am not here as part of some cunning rearguard [10:56] action. [11:04] The founding fathers were bold and imaginative rebels with a cause. [11:09] 250 years ago, or as we say in the United Kingdom, just the other day, they declared independence. [11:33] By balancing contending forces and drawing strength in diversity, they united 13 disparate colonies [11:42] to forge a nation on the revolutionary idea of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. [11:50] They carried with them and carried forward the great inheritance of the British Enlightenment, [11:58] as well as the ideals which had an even deeper history in English common law and Magna Carta. [12:14] These roots run deep and they are still vital. [12:19] Our Declaration of Rights of 1689 was not only the foundation of our constitutional monarchy, [12:27] but also provided the source of so many of the principles reiterated, often verbatim, in [12:33] the American Bill of Rights of 1791. [12:39] And those roots go even further back in history. [12:42] The US Supreme Court Historical Society has calculated that Magna Carta is cited in at least 160 Supreme [12:53] Court cases since 1789, not least as the foundation of the principle that executive power is subject [13:02] to checks and balances. [13:33] This is the reason why there stands a stone by the River Thames at Runnymede, where Magna [13:39] Carta was signed in the year 1215. [13:44] This stone records that an acre of that ancient and historic site was given to the United States [13:50] of America by the people of the United Kingdom to symbolise our shared resolve in support of [13:56] liberty and in memory of President John F. Kennedy. [14:02] Distinguished members of the 119th Congress, it is here in these very halls that this spirit [14:10] of liberty and the promise of America's founders is present in every session and every vote cast. [14:19] Not by the will of one, but by the deliberation of many, representing the living mosaic of the [14:26] United States. [14:29] In both of our countries, it is the very fact of our vibrant, diverse and free societies that [14:37] gives us our collective strength, including to support victims of some of the ills that [14:45] so tragically exist in both our societies today. [14:50] And Mr Speaker, for many here, and for myself, the Christian faith is a firm anchor and daily [15:00] inspiration that guides us, not only personally, guides us not only personally, but together [15:24] as members of our community. [15:27] Having devoted a large part of my life to interfaith relationships and greater understanding, [15:39] it is that faith in the triumph of light over darkness, which I have found confirmed countless [15:46] times. [15:47] Through it, I am inspired by the profound respect that develops as people of different faiths [15:54] grow in their understanding of each other. [15:57] It is why, which is my hope, my prayer, that in these turbulent times, working together, [16:15] and with our international partners, we can stem the beating of ploughshares into swords. [16:23] I am mindful that we are still in the season of Easter, the season that most strengthens my [16:37] hope. [16:39] It is why I believe with all my heart that the essence of our two nations is a generosity [16:44] of spirit and a duty to foster compassion, to promote peace, to deepen mutual understanding, [16:53] and to value all people of all faiths and of none. [17:19] Alliance that our two nations have built over the centuries, and for which we are profoundly [17:25] grateful to the American people, is truly unique. [17:30] And that alliance is part of what Henry Kissinger described as Kennedy's soaring vision of an [17:38] Atlantic partnership based on twin pillars, Europe and America. [17:44] That partnership, I believe, Mr Speaker, is more important today than it has ever been. [18:00] The first reigning British sovereign to set foot in America was my grandfather King George [18:06] VI. He visited in 1939 with my beloved grandmother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. The forces of [18:17] fascism in Europe were on the march. And sometime before the United States had joined us in the [18:23] defence of freedom, our shared values prevailed. Today, we find ourselves in a new era, but those [18:34] values remain. It is an era that is in many ways more volatile and more dangerous than the world to [18:44] which my late mother spoke in this chamber in 1991. The challenges we face are too great for any one nation [18:54] to bear alone. But in this unpredictable environment, our alliance cannot rest on past achievements or assume [19:04] that foundational principles simply endure. As my Prime Minister said last month, ours is an [19:14] indispensable partnership. We must not disregard everything that has sustained us for the [19:20] last 80 years. Instead, we must build on it. Renewal, renewal today starts with security. The United Kingdom [19:41] recognises that the threats we face demand a transformation in British defence. That is why our [19:49] country, in order to be fit for the future, has committed to the biggest sustained increase in defence [19:56] spending since the Cold War. During part of which, over 50 years ago, I served with immense pride in the [20:04] Royal Navy, following in the naval footsteps of my father, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, my grandfather, King George [20:11] the Sixth, my great uncle Lord Mountbatten and my great grandfather King George the fifth. This year, [20:18] of course, also marks the 25th anniversary of 9-11. This atrocity was a defining moment for America and your pain [20:31] and shock were felt around the whole world. During my visit to New York, my wife and I will again pay our [20:40] respects to the victims, the families and the bravery shown in the face of terrible loss. We stood with [20:49] you then and we stand with you now in solemn remembrance of a day that shall never be forgotten. [20:57] The immediate aftermath of 9-11, when NATO invoked Article 5 for the first time and the United Nations [21:30] Security Council was united in the face of terror, we answered the call together. As our people have [21:38] done so for more than a century, shoulder to shoulder through two world wars, the Cold War, Afghanistan [21:46] and moments that have defined our shared security. Today, Mr Speaker, that same unyielding resolve [21:55] is needed for the defence of Ukraine and her most courageous people. It is needed in order to secure a truly [22:24] just and lasting peace. From the depths of the Atlantic to the disastrously melting ice caps of the Arctic, [22:36] the commitment and expertise of the United States Armed Forces and its allies lie at the heart of NATO, [22:44] pledged to each other's defence, protecting our citizens and interests, keeping North Americans and Europeans [22:52] safe from our common adversaries. Our defence, intelligence and security ties are hardwired [23:00] together through relationships measured not in years but in decades. Today, thousands of US service [23:10] personnel, defence officials and their families are stationed in the United Kingdom as British personnel [23:18] serve with equal pride across 30 American states. We are building F-35s together and we have agreed the [23:29] most ambitious submarine programme in history, AUKUS, and we are doing it in partnership with Australia, [23:57] a country of which I am also immensely proud to serve as sovereign. We do not embark on these remarkable [24:06] endeavours together out of sentiment. We do so because they build greater shared resilience for the [24:15] future, so making our citizens safer for generations to come. Our common ideals were not only crucial for [24:24] liberty and equality, they are also the foundation of our shared prosperity. The rule of law, the certainty of [24:34] stable and accessible rules, an independent judiciary, resolving disputes and delivering impartial justice. [24:44] These features created the conditions for centuries of unmatched economic growth in our two countries. [24:54] This is why our governments are concluding a new economic, concluding new economic and technology agreements [25:03] to write the next chapter of our joint prosperity and ensure that British and American ingenuity [25:12] continues to lead the world. Our nations are combining talent and resources in the technologies [25:21] of tomorrow. Our new partnerships in nuclear fusion and quantum computing and in AI and drug discovery [25:31] holding the promise of saving countless lives. More broadly, we celebrate the $430 billion in annual trade [25:43] that continues to grow, the $1.7 trillion in mutual investment that fuels that innovation and the millions [25:52] of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic, supported across both economies. These are strong foundations [26:02] on which to continue to build for generations yet unborn. Our ties in education, research and cultural exchange [26:13] empower citizens and future leaders of both countries. The Marshall Scholarship, named after the great General [26:23] George Marshall and the association of which I am so proud to be patron, are emblematic of the connection [26:31] between our two countries. Since its founding, more than 2,300 scholarships have been awarded, opening doors for [26:41] Americans from all walks of life to study at the United Kingdom's leading universities. So as we look toward [26:51] the next 250 years, we must also reflect on our shared responsibility to safeguard nature, our most precious and [27:01] irreplaceable asset. Millennia, millennia before our nations existed, before any border drawn, the mountains of [27:29] Scotland and Appalachia were one, a single continuous range forged in the ancient collision of continents. [27:38] The natural wonders of the United States of America are indeed a unique asset and generations of Americans have [27:48] risen to this calling. Indigenous, political and civic leaders, people in rural communities and cities alike have [27:58] all helped to protect and nurture what President Theodore Roosevelt called the glorious heritage of this [28:06] land's extraordinary natural splendour, on which so much of its prosperity has always depended. Yet, even as we [28:17] celebrate the beauty that surrounds us, our generation must decide how to address the collapse of critical [28:27] natural systems, which threatens far more than the harmony and essential diversity of nature. We ignore at our [28:35] peril the fact that these natural systems, in other words, nature's own economy, provide the foundation for our [28:44] prosperity and our national security. The story of the United Kingdom and the United States is at its heart [29:16] a story of reconciliation, renewal and remarkable partnership. From the bitter divisions of 250 years [29:25] ago, we forged a friendship that has grown into one of the most consequential alliances in human history. [29:35] I pray with all my heart that our alliance will continue to defend our shared values with our partners in [29:43] Europe and the Commonwealth and across the world and that we ignore the clarion calls to become ever more [29:58] inward-looking. Mr Speaker, Mr Vice President, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, America's words carry weight [30:08] and meaning as they have since independence. The actions of this great nation matter even more. [30:19] President Lincoln understood this so well with his reflection in the magisterial Gettysburg Address [30:28] that the world may little note what we say but will never forget what we do. And so to the United States of [30:37] America, on your 250th birthday, let our two countries rededicate ourselves to each other in the selfless [30:48] service of our peoples and of all the peoples of the world. God bless the United States and God bless the [30:58] United Kingdom. Congress, they are giving King Charles a round of applause after his joint address to [31:23] Congress. That lasted about 20, 30 minutes. He briefly mentioned conflicts in Europe and the Middle East. [31:32] And he spoke at length about the United States and United Kingdom standing together in their commitment [31:38] to upholding democracy despite their differences. He mentioned the upcoming 25th anniversary of the attacks [31:45] on September 11th, 2001. We know that he's going to be visiting New York tomorrow. He and Queen Camilla [31:53] there, you see them leaving shaking hands of the dignitaries in the room from members of the military [31:59] to the cabinet to a retired Supreme Court Justice, Stephen Breyer there right now, two members of Congress [32:07] there. All right, let's go ahead and bring in CBS News political correspondent Caitlin Huey Burns from [32:11] inside the chamber because of camera rules. She joins us on the phone. And Caitlin, I'd like you to pick up [32:16] on anything notable you noted there in the speech. To me, it was quite notable how much time he devoted [32:23] to one of his one of the issues near and dear to his heart. And that is that of climate change, [32:29] essentially calling the United States to action. And there was a standing ovation from members of the [32:37] Democratic caucus. But we honed in on EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, who had a more subdued, [32:44] quiet clapping response. Yeah, Lindsay, I was struck by that as well. And as you mentioned, [32:50] that is something that is near and dear to the King's heart, a subject he has been talking about [32:55] and trying to elevate for quite some time. We talked earlier about how this was reminiscent of a State of [33:02] the Union Address, and so far as it's an address to a joint session of Congress and all of the pomp and [33:08] circumstance that comes with it. But it was notably different in so many ways. Obviously that this [33:16] wasn't the president, but it was really a nonpartisan speech. There were moments where Democrats stood up [33:22] first and Republicans followed, other moments where Republicans stood up first and Democrats followed. [33:28] But by and large, it was something that pretty much everyone in this room had moments where they [33:35] stood up together to applaud. And the earliest moment of that was earlier in the speech when he talked [33:44] about the signing of the Declaration of Independence and gave a nod to the revolutionaries, [33:51] who he called rebels with the cause. And that elicited a lot of positive responses to everyone [33:58] in this room, especially as we prepare for the 250th anniversary coming up on July 4th of this year. [34:07] He also notably referenced that executive power is subject to checks and balances. And I noticed [34:14] that Democrats quickly stood up for that, which was interesting to see. And then when he [34:21] talked about the freedom of religion, Republicans were the first to stand up and applaud that. But, [34:28] Lindsay, the item that I was looking for heading into this speech was any reference to the current [34:35] state of affairs, especially the war with Iran. Because as we know, the president has been very [34:40] critical of the UK, particularly aiming his ire at Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He's been very critical of [34:47] the NATO alliance, arguing in his view that they're not doing as much as the United States is doing. [34:53] And we've heard King Charles in his diplomatic way. Remember, he is not here as a politician, [34:58] and he is not a politician. But trying to stress the importance of it, of the NATO alliance in the [35:06] way that he could and in a way that the palace believes is more effective. And he talked about in [35:12] the aftermath of 9-11, when NATO members were called, and they answered the call together. [35:18] And he said, he talked about that alliance. He said, our ties are hardwired together, [35:24] measured not in years, but in decades. And the chamber is clearing out now. [35:30] And it appears that the king has indeed left the chamber. [35:33] Katelyn Hueyburns, thank you so much for helping provide that color from inside. [35:39] Joining us now is Royal Commentator Amanda Mata. What did you make of his reception in Congress? [35:44] I think the remarks absolutely did what they were supposed to do. Of course, [35:51] the primary goal is to honor the 250th anniversary of American independence. And the king did note [35:58] that even though our special relationship was born out of essentially a dispute, [36:03] the American colonies breaking away from the United Kingdom, we are no less strong for it. Our bond has [36:09] grown out of that dispute. And he really framed every tension that might be discussed in this current [36:17] political and geopolitical moment, in contrast to a strength that the UK and US special relationship [36:24] has always enjoyed. So he did allude to, you know, our mutual defense interests. I especially did enjoy [36:31] his nods to the environment. Of course, his pet cause is climate change. And he is expected to visit [36:38] a national park later this week, which is something that the United States does very well. [36:42] So it was great to see him acknowledging that. But ultimately, calling for the two governments, [36:50] the US and the UK, to continue building on that special relationship. And I think that is something [36:57] that will go a long way in the conversations ahead. Of course, the king, it's been said many times, [37:03] is not a political actor himself. He is not a policymaker. But he is, in a way, paving the way [37:09] for Britain's prime minister, Keir Starmer, to have productive, ongoing conversations with the Trump [37:15] administration. Amanda, thank you so much. Let's go down to CBS News. Congressional reporter [37:22] Torian Small from Capitol Hill. What did you hear from your vantage point and what are you seeing now? [37:26] Yeah, I mean, Lindsay, I missed part of your conversation with Caitlin. But I would imagine, [37:32] just based on being in the room, she felt an energy that I think was kind of unexpected. [37:38] From my vantage point, it feels like part of his speech felt like stand-up. He was joking quite often. [37:43] Yeah, he did get a couple of zingers in. Exactly. But as we talked about leading into the speech, [37:50] we expected that this would be pretty light and celebratory of the anniversary of America's [37:56] independence. And likely, or like so, we saw that happen in his acknowledgement of the 250 years it's [38:04] been its own country. We also saw many moments that could be interpreted as political during one [38:12] portion of his speech when he addressed the checks and balances of the U.S. government. [38:18] That drew a pretty big reaction from Democrats in the crowd. That was obviously not received the [38:23] exact same way by Republicans there. But he also mentioned some pretty hot topic or hot button issues [38:31] like the continued support of Ukrainians and also the support for the alliance known as NATO. Talking about [38:40] how it's a precious asset to both countries. This is something that has been previously condemned in [38:47] many ways by President Trump. So it was pretty interesting to note that he made a point to bring those [38:54] points up during his speech. But ultimately, though, he ended by saying, again, this purpose in this joint [39:02] address is about renewed reconciliation for the two nations as the U.S. faces now its 250 years of [39:10] independence. Torian Small, thank you so much. And our thanks to Amanda Mata and Caitlin Huey Burns as well. [39:16] We are going to take a short break, but we are going to have the latest on this new indictment handed up [39:20] against former FBI director James Comey. The latest coming up. But for now, you're watching CBS News 24-7, [39:27] the number one free streaming news service in America.