King Charles praises Nato and urges defence of Ukraine in key speech during Trump visit

King Charles has extolled the importance of Britain’s “special relationship” with the United States in a speech to US Congress that made pointed reference to the importance of Nato, the defence of Ukraine and the climate crisis. In a speech that will be read as a veiled plea to Donald Trump to return to the United States’ traditional European alliances and restore his country’s role as a defender of liberal values, Charles said: “America’s words carry weight and meaning, as they have since independence. The actions of this great nation matter even more.” Charles’s appearance before the joint session of Congress – the first such royal address in 35 years – was billed as the centrepiece of his four-day state visit to the United States, where he and Queen Camilla are taking part in celebrations to mark the 250th anniversary of independence. Charles praised the historic bond between the two nations, saying: “The alliance that our two nations have built over the centuries – and for which we are profoundly grateful to the American people – is truly unique.” But in comments that appeared to draw an approving response from Democratic lawmakers, he noted the roots of “the principle that executive power is subject to checks and balances” in one of the UK’s foundational legal documents, Magna Carta. And he urged “unyielding resolve” in the cause of “Ukraine and her most courageous people” in order to “secure a truly just and lasting peace”. …