King Charles set to address Congress as speaker confirms invitation sent to monarch
King Charles has received an invitation from Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to deliver an address before a joint meeting of the US Congress. The monarch's speech is scheduled for April 28, coinciding with his upcoming visit to Washington DC.
The senior Republican announced the invitation on X, stating: "It is my distinct honour and great privilege to invite His Majesty King Charles III, The King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, to address a joint meeting of Congress." Mr Johnson emphasised that both nations would together commemorate America's 250th year of independence, describing the UK-US relationship as "one of the most consequential partnerships in history." On Tuesday, Buckingham Palace confirmed that King Charles and Queen Camilla will undertake a State Visit to the United States in late April, coinciding with America's 250th anniversary of independence.
The visit comes at the invitation of the US President and on the advice of the British Government. Keir Starmer will be hoping the State Visit will help improve the special relationship between the UK and US following a prologued period of tension between the Prime Minister and President Donald Trump.
A statement from Buckingham Palace said: "Their Majesties' programme will celebrate the historic connections and the modern bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States, marking the 250th anniversary of American Independence." Following the royal couple’s time in the US, the King will travel to Bermuda without the Queen, marking his first official visit to a British Overseas Territory since becoming monarch.
This solo trip holds particular historical significance as it represents the first time a reigning King has visited the island. King Charles last set foot in Bermuda in 1970 during his time as Prince of Wales. The late Queen Elizabeth II made her final sovereign visit to the territory in November 2009.
More recently, the Duchess of Gloucester became the latest member of the Royal Family to travel to Bermuda, having visited in October 2025. During his years as Prince of Wales, King Charles visited the United States on 19 separate occasions, including a joint official tour with Camilla in 2005.
The late Queen Elizabeth II conducted four outward State Visits to America throughout her reign, travelling there in 1957, 1976, 1991 and 2007. In the opposite direction, four US Presidents have made inward State Visits to the United Kingdom since 1952, with visits taking place in 2003, 2011, 2019 and most recently in 2025.
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter