Return to Transcripts main page

CNN News Central

King Charles Makes Historic Speech to Joint Meeting of Congress. Aired 3:30-4p ET

Aired April 28, 2026 - 15:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[15:30:00]

KING CHARLES III, UNITED KINGDOM: ... but in decades. Today, thousands of U.S. service personnel, defense officials and their families are stationed in the United Kingdom as British personnel serve with equal pride across 30 American states. We are building F-35s together and we have agreed the most ambitious submarine program in history, AUKUS.

(APPLAUSE)

And we are doing it in partnership with Australia, a country of which I'm also immensely proud to serve as sovereign. We do not embark on these remarkable endeavors together out of sentiment. We do so because they build greater shared resilience for the future, so making our citizens safer for generations to come.

Our common ideals were not only crucial for liberty and equality, they are also the foundation of our shared prosperity. The rule of law, the certainty of stable and accessible rules, an independent judiciary, resolving disputes and delivering impartial justice. These features created the conditions for centuries of unmatched economic growth in our two countries.

This is why our governments are concluding new economic and technology agreements to write the next chapter of our joint prosperity and ensure that British and American ingenuity continues to lead the world. Our nations are combining talent and resources in the technologies of tomorrow. Our new partnerships in nuclear fusion and quantum computing and in AI and drug discovery holding the promise of saving countless lives.

More broadly, we celebrate the $430 billion in annual trade that continues to grow, the $1.7 trillion in mutual investment that fuels that innovation, and the millions of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic supported across both economies. These are strong foundations on which to continue to build for generations yet unborn. Our ties in education, research and cultural exchange empower citizens and future leaders of both countries.

The Marshall Scholarship, named after the great General George Marshall and the association of which I am so proud to be patron, are emblematic of the connection between our two countries. Since its founding, more than 2,300 scholarships have been awarded, opening doors for Americans from all walks of life to study at the United Kingdom's leading universities. So as we look toward the next 250 years, we must also reflect on our shared responsibility to safeguard nature, our most precious and irreplaceable asset.

(APPLAUSE)

Millennia, millennia before our nations existed, before any border drawn, the mountains of Scotland and Appalachia were one, a single continuous range forged in the ancient collision of continents. The natural wonders of the United States of America are indeed a unique asset, and generations of Americans have risen to this calling. Indigenous, political and civic leaders, people in rural communities and cities alike have all helped to protect and nurture what President Theodore Roosevelt called the glorious heritage of this land's extraordinary, natural splendor on which so much of its prosperity has always depended.

[15:35:05]

Yet, even as we celebrate the beauty that surrounds us, our generation must decide how to address the collapse of critical natural systems which threatens far more than the harmony and essential diversity of nature. We ignore at our peril the fact that these natural systems, in other words, nature's own economy, provide the foundation for our prosperity and our national security.

(APPLAUSE)

The story of the United Kingdom and the United States is at its heart a story of reconciliation, renewal and remarkable partnership. From the bitter divisions of 250 years ago, we forged a friendship that has grown into one of the most consequential alliances in human history. I pray with all my heart that our alliance will continue to defend our shared values with our partners in Europe and the Commonwealth and across the world --

(APPLAUSE)

-- and that we ignore the clarion calls to become ever more inward- looking.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, America's words carry weight and meaning. As they have since independence, the actions of this great nation matter even more. President Lincoln understood this so well with his reflection in the magisterial Gettysburg Address, that the world may little note what we say, but will never forget what we do.

And so to the United States of America, on your 250th birthday, let our two countries rededicate ourselves to each other in the selfless service of our peoples and of all the peoples of the world. God bless the United States and God bless the United Kingdom.

(CHEERING)

(APPLAUSE)

JAKE TAPPER, CNN HOST: All right, a rousing address -- a rousing response, rather, to the address by King Charles III in a joint meeting. There he is, greeting he and his wife, the Queen, greeting the chairman and members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. As well as members of the U.S. Supreme Court. There he is saying hello to former Justice Stephen Breyer. A very rousing speech. No boos.

No boos, as opposed to other speeches we hear in that chamber sometime by Americans. Let us get some reaction. David Chalian, there were some items in that speech that I think it's fair to say were included that, you know, are, I wouldn't call them zingers against President Trump, but points of disagreement.

DAVID CHALIAN, CNN WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF: And did not hide from them at all. I mean, I think it was a speech that was putting democratic values, the rule of law, the power of alliances, even a specific on the support of Ukraine's defense. These stand in complete opposition.

And in fact, some of them are the very things that Donald Trump sort of rails against when he's complaining about Europe or the U.K. specifically. Now, King Charles doesn't come in here for a fight on it. He comes in with his position to be above it a bit.

[15:40:00]

And in his, you know, very British stiff upper lip kind of way, it's not that he was trying to get in a fight with President Trump, but he couldn't have seized the opportunity more to really stand clear on the importance of these things with a value system underneath it that is in contrast to a lot of what Donald Trump has been presenting on the world stage as it comes to these alliances.

TAPPER: Jamie.

JAMIE GANGEL, CNN SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes. So to your point about boos, I may have lost count, but I think six or seven standing ovations, including a very long one. It's been a long time since I think in that chamber we have seen this kind of enthusiasm.

Just to add to what David said about something that, you know, President Trump doesn't like to talk about a lot. King Charles talked a lot about the environment and nature. And he said from the depths of the Atlantic, so he was talking about NATO, but he even worked in the words to the disastrously melting ice caps of the Arctic.

And he brought it back over and over again. The other thing that I would say is just on a lighter note, he was absolutely charming throughout the whole thing. He talked about his five times great- grandfather, King George.

He talked about --

TAPPER: The Mad King. Just to be precise about which King we're talking about.

GANGEL: This was. And he said, I'm not part of some rear guard action.

TAPPER: 250 years later after we beat the Brits. Yes, making sure we don't think he's a sleeper cell. GANGEL: Right.

TAPPER: Max, I also couldn't help but notice that in the wake of President Trump referring to the Royal Navy as having just a bunch of toys, King Charles talked about the immense pride he feels for the Royal Navy.

MAX FOSTER, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR AND ROYAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, because he served in it. And I think David's read on this is correct, obviously, because it's his read. But I think what I want to say is it was intentional.

This was quite pointed. If you dig into the text, it was very bold and it was very much from the King's position. And I think there were moments in it he was caught out by the reaction, sometimes with his jokes, but also speaking to his audience, really talking about how Magna Carta formed the basis of the Constitution, which says there should be checks and balances on the executive.

That obviously went down very well in Congress. But also talking about the importance of that U.K.-U.S.-Europe partnership, that pillar really, really matters, more important than ever, he said. And he talked about 9-11, how Europe came to America's defense.

And I think that was partly speaking to the British audience because there was something President Trump said about British troops not coming forward during the Afghan fight. And that was really offensive to many Brits. And it's why many members of Parliament said Charles shouldn't have gone over to America in the first place.

But I think really the headline, for Charles at least, was friends show up for each other, they can disagree, but it's that line that they have to rededicate each other to each other. And he's speaking there about, yes, we've got some problems at the moment, let's rededicate. And he's speaking to history, a shared history.

I mean, going back 60 million years, actually, to the separation of the continents. So he's really digging down there. But he gave lots of reasons for those members of Congress to realize that this is a very deep relationship and it won't go away.

TAPPER: Yes. And just to put a button on your note about what King Charles had to say about 9-11, the 25th anniversary of which we commemorate this year, is that he noted President Trump is often talking about how NATO was not there for us. NATO was never there for us.

NATO has never done anything for the United States. And King Charles said in the immediate aftermath of 9-11, when NATO invoked Article 5 for the first time. And the Article 5, of course, an attack on one member of NATO is an attack on all members of NATO.

Not just the first time, the only time. Kind of a reminder there for anybody in the room or anybody watching who might have forgotten that NATO has been there for the United States. Max Foster, Jamie Gangel, David Chalian, thanks so much. Hold on,

we're going to take a quick break and we'll keep covering this on the other side.

[15:45:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

TAPPER: Here with me, CNN Royal Historian Kate Williams, as we watch these images from moments ago, the King and the Queen entering the chamber for this joint meeting of leaders of the U.S. federal government. Kate, what stood out to you from King Charles' speech?

KATE WILLIAMS, CNN ROYAL HISTORIAN: Jake, I think many commentators have been surprised by King Charles' speech because for a monarch, this is an extremely political speech. We saw Charles encouraging President Trump to safeguard nature, also to defend Ukraine and its courageous people. He also praised, as you were saying, the Royal Navy after the president has criticized the Royal Navy.

I mean, really, we saw defense over and over again of many of the claims that Trump has made about British culture, British servicemen, and indeed about the world.

[15:50:00]

And I think, you know, I don't know how well this is going to go down with President Trump, but certainly Charles, I think felt very clearly here that it was his moment to talk, speak to his sincere feelings about peace and understanding.

And I did notice this very large applause. I think the greatest applause was for the King's words about 9-11 and the 25th anniversary and the suffering. But also that moment when he said that executive power should be subject to checks and balances, which is the purpose, the reason of Congress, got a huge amount of applause.

And I think certainly a lot of people are going to be quite surprised by this speech. And we know that what Charles says has been signed off by the prime minister, Keir Starmer. The prime minister is really struggling in this country in terms of support in Parliament.

I think this is going to do a lot to bolster Keir Starmer's support here in the U.K. and also that for the King.

TAPPER: Interesting stuff. Kate Williams, thank you so much.

Manu Raju is inside the chamber. We don't have a camera on him. We can't have a camera on him, but he has called in and he is able to tell us what he witnessed. Manu, from the cheap seats out here in the real world, it sounded as though King Charles got a lot of bipartisan applause repeatedly and enthusiastically.

Is that what you saw inside the chamber?

MANU RAJU, CNN CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, actually, universally, Jake, there were bipartisan ovations for King Charles, which is really unusual, of course, in this bitterly divided Congress where we have seen presidential addresses in particular being the response in the crowd being very partisan, standing ovations, heckling on one side, the occasional member being escorted out. None of that happened here. Almost on every single time that the members applauded, both sides applauded, both sides got up and cheered.

And even on issues that have been divisive with Capitol Hill as of late, like on Ukraine, an issue that has increasingly divided the two parties, particularly dividing the Republican Party among itself. When King Charles talked about how the United States needs to show support for defending Ukraine, both sides got up and gave him a rousing standing ovation. That is much different than the reality of the political situation on that issue here on the Hill. That was interesting.

Also, when King Charles talked about support for our natural systems, a nod to the importance of protecting the environment, that that was an issue that I saw Republicans and Democrats get up and give the King a standing ovation for as well. So really on issue after issue, you're seeing so much of a very positive, warm reception.

Unlikely to last very long here, Jake, but just a sign of how he was received here in front of House members and senators just a few moments ago, Jake.

TAPPER: All right, Manu, thank you so much.

CNN's Nic Robertson joins us now from Islamabad, where Pakistani mediators have been working to help bring an end to the Iran war. Nic, how would you assess the speech that King Charles just gave as he tries to reaffirm the relationship that the U.K. has with the U.S.?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yes, it was, as Kate was saying, very political speech for the King to give and getting to his core issues, be it on the climate, be it on democracy, but also this sort of sense of shared responsibility, the shared responsibility of what we do today affects our children in the future. And to that point, he was talking about the importance of supporting Ukraine, but also very much alluding to the war in the Middle East. And of course, that is talking about the war that the United States and Israel are having with Iran that's on a temporary pause and ceasefire.

So I'm not sure that that's going to resonate particularly out here in this region, but it certainly is that message that is felt in this region that it's going to take all these countries working together with the United States, the Gulf countries as well, mediators like Pakistan, Iran and any other country that can signal to it that it needs to find an off ramp. So I think the King's speech here, although not directed to this region at all, really highlights that concern in the U.K. and in Europe writ large that this is a war that is happening that was started by the United States, but is of a concern for everyone. And if allowed to unravel, then that will have an impact on generations to come. So I think perhaps that's the way in this region to understand what the King said. But I was struck by just how pointed he was at times, Jake, taking that opportunity, the respect and using it to bring his message -- Jake.

TAPPER: Yes, it was pointed at times. Nic Robertson in Islamabad, Pakistan. Thank you so much.

[15:55:00]

And thank you at home for joining me for this special coverage. We're going to squeeze in a quick break. And when we come back, you'll be joined by Kasie Hunt and "THE ARENA."

Stay with us.

END