King Charles urges Trump and Congress not to abandon Nato and Ukraine — BBC News

[0:00] The King has said the partnership between the UK and the US is more important today than it has ever been. [0:06] Tonight, the King addressed a joint session of the US Congress, the upper and lower Houses of Parliament, [0:13] only the second British monarch ever to do so. [0:15] His speech was warmly received by lawmakers and won multiple standing ovations. [0:21] The second day of the state visit by the King and Queen had begun with a ceremonial military welcome at the White House, [0:28] including a flypast and a speech from President Trump in which he said Americans have no closer friends than the British. [0:36] The trip comes against a backdrop of tension between the two countries, particularly in relation to the war in Iran. [0:42] All the day's events now from our senior royal correspondent, Daniela Relf in Washington. [0:48] Mr. Speaker, their majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla. [0:57] 35 years ago, his mother was here speaking of the power of friendship. [1:02] Today, her son returned as monarch to share the same message. [1:09] The audience from across the political divide heard one of the most powerful speeches delivered by the King during his reign. [1:16] At times, it had punch. [1:18] There were direct political references amidst lighter touches and historical reminders. [1:24] After events at the weekend in Washington, he began with words of comfort and solidarity. [1:29] Let me say with unshakable resolve, such acts of violence will never succeed. [1:41] Our differences, whatever disagreements we may have, we stand united in our commitment to uphold democracy. [2:06] As often with the King, history played strongly. [2:10] The UK and US didn't always get on, he said, but we managed to find common ground. [2:16] Drawing on these values and traditions time and again, our two countries have always found ways to come together. [2:24] And by Jove, Mr. Speaker, when we have found that way to agree, what great change is brought about. [2:30] Not just for the benefit of our peoples, but of all peoples. [2:37] This, I believe, is the special ingredient in our relationship. [2:43] As President Trump himself observed during his state visit to Britain last autumn, [2:49] the bond of kinship and identity between America and the United Kingdom is priceless and eternal. [2:56] It is irreplaceable and unbreakable. [2:57] The standing ovations came thick and fast. [3:11] When the King touched on politics, he was careful. [3:14] But there was a reminder of the power of NATO in response to the attacks of September 11th. [3:22] In the immediate aftermath of 9-11, when NATO invoked Article 5 for the first time [3:29] and the United Nations Security Council was united in the face of terror, [3:34] we answered the call together, as our people have done so for more than a century. [3:41] Shoulder to shoulder, through two world wars, the Cold War, Afghanistan, [3:47] and moments that have defined our shared security. [3:51] Today, Mr. Speaker, that same unyielding resolve is needed for the defence of Ukraine [3:58] and her most courageous people. [4:01] And it was a pointed end as he looked at the future of the UK-US partnership. [4:12] The President of the United States of America [4:14] The President of the United States of America [4:14] America's words carry weight and meaning, as they have since independence. [4:21] The actions of this great nation matter even more. [4:26] President Lincoln understood this so well with his reflection in the magisterial Gettysburg address [4:32] that the world may little note what we say, but will never forget what we do. [4:42] And so to the United States of America, on your 250th birthday, [4:47] let our two countries rededicate ourselves to each other in the selfless service of our peoples [4:57] and of all the peoples of the world. [5:01] God bless the United States and God bless the United Kingdom. [5:05] Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, [5:17] and First Lady Melania Trump. [5:19] Earlier, there was pomp and pageantry on the South Lawn of the White House, [5:26] the official ceremonial welcome, the highest diplomatic honour America can offer, [5:31] a visiting head of state. [5:33] In a typically freewheeling speech, President Trump spoke warmly of Britain. [5:42] Thank you very much, everybody. What a beautiful British day this is. [5:53] Americans have had no closer friends than the British. [5:58] We share that same root. We speak the same language. We hold the same values. [6:06] And there was a slightly awkward family recollection. [6:09] Any time the Queen was involved in a ceremony or anything, [6:15] my mother would be glued to the television and she'd say, [6:19] look, Donald, look how beautiful that is. [6:23] She really did love the family. [6:25] But I also remember her saying very clearly, [6:30] Charles, look, young Charles, he's so cute. [6:35] My mother had a crush on Charles. Can you believe it? [6:42] It's amazing how... I wonder what she's thinking right now. [6:48] This state visit has been marked by the personal chemistry. [6:54] Two very different men, a king and a president, [6:57] finding ways to reset a strained alliance. [7:02] Well, in a moment, we'll hear from our North America editor, Sarah Smith. [7:06] First, though, let's get a little more from Daniela, [7:08] because in that speech we've heard in the last couple of hours, [7:11] Daniela, the king had a fine line to tread, [7:14] but it seems to have gone down very well. [7:16] Yes, it has. [7:20] Royal speeches always tend to require a little bit of reading between the lines, [7:24] but the king's words to Congress were as clear as we've ever heard him. [7:28] References to NATO, to Ukraine, to the power of global alliances. [7:33] And this evening, we have had a statement from a Buckingham Palace spokesperson saying, [7:37] the king was deeply honoured to have been invited to be the first British king [7:41] to give such an address, [7:43] and was greatly touched by the warmth and generosity of the response he received. [7:48] The palace is pleased with its work here so far and how President Trump is responding. [7:53] Tonight, there will be two more speeches at a lavish state dinner here in Washington, [7:58] one from the president and one again from the king. [8:00] We're told the themes from the king will be similar, but the mood will be lighter. [8:05] All right. [8:05] Thanks, Daniela. [8:06] And Sarah, away from all the formalities that we've been seeing today, [8:10] there are other comments which have come to light today. [8:16] Yeah. [8:16] The British ambassador to Washington, some Christian Turner, [8:20] has been quoted in the Financial Times some remarks that were recorded [8:23] when he was speaking to some British students here in Washington back in February. [8:27] And they are a bit embarrassing, especially given that it's his job to make sure everything runs smoothly. [8:33] And now it's his own remarks that are making headlines and threatening to derail this occasion. [8:37] He was overheard saying that if any country has a special relationship with America, [8:42] it's not Britain, but probably Israel. [8:45] Now, that's awkward, isn't it, [8:46] when the king is here to try and bolster the alliance between the US and the UK. [8:50] And he also made reference to the specter of Jeffrey Epstein, [8:54] something that both Buckingham Palace and the White House would much rather not talk about, [8:58] especially as the king and queen were under heavy pressure to meet some of the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, [9:04] some of whom have come here to Washington to make that point. [9:07] Now, they're not going to do that. [9:09] We're told that they've had legal advice that they shouldn't say anything directly about Jeffrey Epstein. [9:14] But there was a reference in his speech from King Charles there, [9:17] where he talked about the ills, victims of the ills that tragically exist in both our countries. [9:22] And we understand that that was a reference to Jeffrey Epstein's crime [9:26] and the king acknowledging that that had happened.