Christianity is an ‘anchor': 5 takeaways from King Charles' speech to Congress

By Michael Gryboski, Editor
Tuesday, April 28, 2026

King Charles III addresses a joint meeting of Congress as U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., look on at the U.S. Capitol on April 28, 2026, in Washington, D.C. In his first visit to the U.S. as the British monarch, King Charles III addressed Congress as part of a multi-day trip to the nation's capital, New York City, and Virginia celebrating the United States of America's 250th anniversary of its independence. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

King Charles III addressed a joint session of Congress in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday as part of his four-day trip to the United States. The occasion marks his first official state visit to the U.S. as British monarch.

Charles and Queen Camilla were invited by President Donald Trump to highlight the countries' close bond as the U.S. celebrates its 250th anniversary.

This was Charles' first speech to Congress. His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, had addressed the legislative branch back in 1991. His grandfather, King George VI, was the first British monarch to visit the U.S. back in 1939.

The monarch at times struck a lighthearted tone, talking about how the American Revolution was “A Tale of Two Georges,” and jokingly assuring Congress that he was “not here as part of some cunning rearguard action.”

Charles also spoke more seriously about the importance of the longstanding alliance between the U.S. and the U.K., as well as the two nations’ shared culture.

Here are five notable things mentioned in the king's speech to Congress.