King Charles Addresses Congress and Exchanges Gifts with President Trump During US State Visit

King Charles III received a standing ovation from U.S. lawmakers after addressing a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, stressing the importance of checks and balances in limiting executive power. The speech highlighted the United States' founding principles during the monarch's state visit.

Lawmakers applauded the remarks, which came amid recent protests against concentrated executive authority. During the state dinner at the White House that evening, King Charles presented President Trump with the bell from the 1944 HMS Trump submarine.

Trump declared military victory over Iran at the event, stating that the U.S. had defeated the opponent and reaffirming that Iran would not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. King Charles responded by noting shared views on preventing nuclear proliferation in Iran.

The state visit began Monday with a greeting at the White House, where King Charles and Queen Camilla joined President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for afternoon tea and a visit to the South Lawn beehives. The royals arrived at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland that afternoon.

Buckingham Palace confirmed the visit proceeded as planned despite a shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday, where gunshots injured one law enforcement officer and led to the suspect's detention. King Charles and President Trump held a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office.

The evening featured a tour, document viewing, and the state dinner in the East Room.

“Should you ever need to get hold of us, well just give us a ring.”

The visit marks King Charles' first to the U.S. as monarch and the first British state visit since 2007. It coincides with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Thursday's schedule includes events in Virginia, such as attending a party for the independence anniversary and meeting indigenous communities to discuss climate change projects.

The King will then visit Bermuda. The trip aims to strengthen U.S.-UK relations amid strains over the Iran war, where President Trump has criticized Britain's approach and expressed comfort with an indefinite blockade of Iranian ports. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson confirmed the itinerary after consultations following the correspondents' dinner shooting.

Saturday at the Washington Hilton, with President Trump and officials rushed to safety. The suspect injured one officer before detention near the hotel's screening area. Buckingham Palace noted gratitude to those ensuring the visit's continuation. Trump has stated King Charles shares his view against Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.

Wall Street Journal reported Trump prefers continuing the blockade without resuming bombing or withdrawing from the conflict. In his Congress address, King Charles joked about "a tale of two Georges," referencing historical figures, and celebrated the independence anniversary.

Republicans noted irony in Democrats applauding the King amid "No Kings" protests. The visit includes cultural elements, such as Queen Camilla discussing child exploitation charities and King Charles chatting with former Olympic diver Tom Daley about knitting.

U.S. intelligence agencies are examining Iran's potential reactions to Trump's victory declaration.