The King's state visit to the United States has been described as an absolute triumph, resetting the special relationship between the UK and US. The visit included a 21-gun salute at the White House, a military flyover, and the King becoming only the second British monarch to address a joint meeting of Congress, following his mother in 1991.
During his 20-minute address to Congress, the King spoke of shared values and history, paid tribute to Nato, and acknowledged the war in Iran without dwelling on it. President Trump later told the King he was jealous of the speech, which was widely praised.
Beyond the pageantry, the King hosted a reception for top US tech CEOs, including Jeff Bezos, Tim Cook, and Jensen Huang, discussing AI guardrails, funding for British start-ups, and sustainability. He will also host events in New York and Bermuda under his Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI), which he founded to mobilise private capital for climate action.
The SMI, launched in 2020, now includes over 250 CEOs committed to the transition to a sustainable economy. The King's early environmental advocacy, dating back to 1970, has been vindicated as the City of London leads in green finance globally.
The visit has been seen as a key opportunity for the UK to strengthen ties with the US, with the King acting as a door-opener for British interests. The Queen also participated in an education event alongside the First Lady, and a white-tie state dinner was held at the White House.
