King Charles made a historic address to the US Congress on April 28, 2026, acknowledging the victims of sexual abuse in the wake of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Without directly naming Epstein, the King emphasized the importance of supporting victims of societal ills that exist in both the United Kingdom and the United States.
Addressing the Epstein Scandal
The King and Queen have faced calls to meet with survivors of convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein during their stay in the US, but are refraining due to ongoing legal cases, including the arrest of the King's brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. In his speech, Charles said: 'In both of our countries, it is the very fact of our vibrant, diverse and free societies that gives us our collective strength, including to support victims of some of the ills that, so tragically, exist in both our societies today.'
Faith and Peace
Referring to his Christian faith and lifelong focus on interfaith understanding, the King added: 'It is why it is my hope – my prayer – that, in these turbulent times, working together and with our international partners, we can stem the beating of ploughshares into swords.' Charles, whose visit takes place against the backdrop of the Iran war, also stressed the importance of peace, saying: '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.'
Condemning Violence
In reference to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump at a Washington media dinner just days prior, the King declared: 'We meet, too, in the aftermath of the incident not far from this great building that sought to harm the leadership of your nation and to foment wider fear and discord. Let me say with unshakeable resolve: such acts of violence will never succeed. Whatever our differences, whatever disagreements we may have, we stand united in our commitment to uphold democracy, to protect all our people from harm, and to salute the courage of those who daily risk their lives in the service of our countries.'
UK-US Partnership
The King highlighted the enduring partnership between the UK and US, noting that they have 'always found ways to come together.' He said: 'With the Spirit of 1776 in our minds, we can perhaps agree that we do not always agree – at least in the first instance. Ours is a partnership born out of dispute, but no less strong for it… So perhaps, in this example, we can discern that our Nations are in fact instinctively like-minded – a product of the common democratic, legal and social traditions in which our governance is rooted to this day.' He added: 'Drawing on these values and traditions, time and again, our two countries have always found ways to come together. And by Jove, Mr Speaker, when we have found that way to agree, what great change is brought about – not just for the benefit of our peoples, but of all peoples. This, I believe, is the special ingredient in our Relationship.'
Charles quoted President Donald Trump's remarks from his state visit to the UK in September 2025, when Trump called the bond between the two nations 'irreplaceable and unbreakable.' This reference prompted another standing ovation and applause in the chamber.
