King Charles addresses joint meeting of US Congress

King Charles, who is passionate about the environment, emphasized the "shared responsibility" to safeguard nature, which he called "our most precious and irreplaceable asset."

"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," Charles said.

"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." 

Elsewhere in the speech, the king highlighted the importance of faith and interfaith dialogue in his daily life.

Charles received a standing ovation from some lawmakers when he called Christianity "a firm anchor and daily inspiration," before continuing to say that it "guides us not only personally, but together as members of our community."

"Having devoted a large part of my life to interfaith relationships and greater understanding, it is that faith in the triumph of light over darkness, which I have found confirmed countless times," he continued.

He went on to say: "I believe with all my heart that the essence of our two nations is a generosity of spirit and a duty to foster compassion, to promote peace, to deepen mutual understanding, and to value all people of all faiths and of none."

King Charles has called on the UK and the US to "rededicate" themselves to their longstanding alliance.

"Today, thousands of US service personnel, defense officials and their families are stationed in the United Kingdom, as British personnel serve with equal pride across 30 American states," the king told Congress.

"We are building F-35s together, and we have agreed the most ambitious submarine program in history: AUKUS."

Invoking US history throughout the speech, Charles warned against calls for the US to break with its longstanding ties with the UK.

"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," Charles added.

"I pray with all our heart that our alliance will continue to defend our shared values with our partners, with Europe, and the Commonwealth and across the world. And that we ignore the clarion calls to become ever more inward-looking."

The king also mentioned Ukraine in particular, calling for "a truly just and lasting peace."

King Charles III has arrived at the US Caiptol in Washington, where he will shortly deliver a rare speech to Congress.

He will reportedly stress importance of unity and the need to defend democratic values, at a time of somewhat strained relations between the US president and the British prime minister.

Charles will be only the second British monarch to address the US Congress. The first was his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who spoke to both houses in 1991.

Moments after Donald Trump hailed the "special relationship" between the US and the UK, comments from the British ambassador have come to light in which he said the US only has a special relationship with Israel.

The Financial Times reported on Tuesday that, back in February, British ambassador to Washington Christian Turner told a group of visiting British students that he found the term to be "quite nostalgic" and "backwards-looking."

"I think there is probably one country that has a special relationship with the United States — and that is probably Israel," Turner reportedly said.

In a statement provided to the AFP news agency on Tuesday, the UK Foreign Office said the remarks had been "private, informal comments made to a group of UK sixth-form students visiting the US in early February."

"They are certainly not any reflection of the UK Government's position," the Foreign Office added

After a ceremonial welcome marked with pomp and pageantry, President Trump and King Charles held talks in the Oval Office. 

But the meeting was held behind closed doors. 

After the talks, the Trumps later escorted the king and queen to their limousine. 

"It was a really good meeting. He's a fantastic person. They're incredible people and it's a real honor," Trump told reporters afterward.

The royal couple will return to the White House later in the evening for a grand state dinner.

Britain's King Charles III arrived at the White House again on Tuesday for a meeting with US President Donald Trump.

Charles and Queen Camilla were greeted by the president and First Lady Melania Trump.

"In the centuries since we won our independence, Americans have had no closer friends than the British," Trump said in a speech.

He said the two countries shared "a special relationship, and we hope it will always remain that way."

And despite having recently said he was "not happy" with the UK over its position on the Strait of Hormuz and referring to two British aircraft carriers as "toys," Trump went on to say that "nobody fought better together" than the US and the UK.

Charles is scheduled to deliver a rare address to Congress at 3 p.m. local time (1900 GMT/UTC).

King Charles and Queen Camilla are visiting Washington at a time when fractures in the US-UK bilateral relationship have dominated headlines. Can their visit mend transatlantic relations?

The first lady's office posted pictures of the Trumps and the royals touring Melania Trump's beekeeping program on the White House grounds.

The royals are supporters of beekeeping, and the first lady showed off a beehive that's shaped to look like a miniature White House.

King Charles III will privately meet with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office and Queen Camilla is expected to take part in an education event with First Lady Melania Trump.

Later, Charles delivers an address to a joint session of the US Congress, becoming the first British monarch to do so since his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, addressed Congress in 1991.

The king plans to tell Congress that the "two countries have always found ways to come together," according to a preview of his remarks by Buckingham Palace.

Charles' speech, which is expected to last 20 minutes, will also likely mark the most extensive public remarks he will deliver during his four-day visit to the US.

Such addresses are an opportunity afforded to only the most prominent world leaders.

Britain's King Charles III and his wife, Queen Camilla, began their four-day state visit to the US on Monday.

They met with President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump at the White House. After having tea there, the royals mingled with US Cabinet members and others at the British Embassy in Washington at a garden party.

Charles and his wife are visiting the US to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the US's independence from Britain and promote their close ties at a time when US-UK relations appear bumpy.

Charles' speech to the US Congress tonight is sure to generate great interest.