King Charles III addressed a joint session of Congress on Monday, calling for a renewed and strengthened alliance between the United States and the United Kingdom as both nations confront what he described as an increasingly volatile international environment.

The speech, delivered during a visit tied to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, emphasized the long history of U.S.-U.K. relations, framing the partnership as one that evolved from conflict into one of the world’s most enduring strategic alliances.

Charles referenced global instability spanning Europe and the Middle East, warning that modern challenges are too complex for any single nation to address alone. He also condemned political violence and referenced recent unrest near the U.S. Capitol, saying efforts to sow fear and division would ultimately fail.

The king underscored the importance of NATO and ongoing Western support for Ukraine, describing the effort as necessary to achieve what he called a “just and lasting peace.” He also noted Britain’s planned increases in defense spending and highlighted continued military cooperation with the United States through programs such as F-35 production and the AUKUS submarine partnership involving Australia.

Economic ties were also a major focus of the address, with Charles citing hundreds of billions of dollars in annual trade and trillions in mutual investment between the two countries. He argued that economic prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic has been reinforced by shared commitments to democratic governance and the rule of law.

Beyond security and economics, the king called for expanded cooperation in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and nuclear energy research, framing them as critical areas for future stability and growth.

Charles also touched on faith, quoting literary figures including Oscar Wilde and Charles Dickens, and emphasizing the role of religious understanding in bridging cultural and political divides.

He concluded by urging both nations to resist isolationist tendencies and reaffirm their shared values, describing the U.S.-U.K. relationship as a continuing story of reconciliation, renewal, and strategic partnership.