King Charles marks ties with U.S., amid tensions over Iran, tariffs

WASHINGTON — King Charles III’s address to a joint meeting of Congress Tuesday is intended to help launch celebrations of the 250th anniversary of America's independence from British rule.

His aim is to emphasize the close ties between the two countries. But there is awkwardness — as much as opportunity — because the timing of this speech comes amid a period of difficult relations between the countries over the Iran war and other issues.

Charles will be only the second British monarch to address Congress during an internationally televised event that begins at 3 p.m. Only his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, has previously done so in 1991.

"I think that the most appropriate term is 'ironic,’ " Ross Baker, a political scientist at Rutgers University said. He noted that President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer have been at very public odds over the war, as well as splintering over economic issues.

Some analysts also say Charles’ time in the United States could bring added attention to the royal family's handling of links between his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and the late American sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. Mountbatten-Windsor has denied any wrongdoing.

“King Charles' visit, I'm afraid, will suffer the same fate as the semi-sesquicentennial. It will attract attention, but I fear not much celebration," said Donald Nieman, a history professor at Binghamton University, of Charles’ planned address before Congress.

Sensitive topics

How much Charles will even try to lean in on issues that have caused friction between the two countries’ top elected leaders is not clear.

His address is part of a four-day U.S. visit with Queen Camilla that began Monday. The trip also is to include a state banquet Tuesday hosted by Trump at the White House and a stop in New York City on Wednesday for a 9/11 ceremony.

It is timed to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and America's separation from England.

But Charles’ speech comes as some analysts don't see a host nation in much of a celebratory mood. Polls show the United States deeply polarized, with majorities down on the economy and disapproving of the military strikes on Iran. 

Nieman contrasted the mood with the big celebrations of 1976 — the nation’s bicentennial.

"Americans were divided by lots of things; recent divisions over Watergate and Vietnam, busing, affirmative action, the ERA, abortion, gay rights and more. The economy was wracked by stagflation, de-industrialization had begun, New York City was in a free fall," he recalled.

Yet, while Americans didn’t put aside those disagreements, Nieman said, "We did the kind of silly things like stage a Broadway musical or paint fire hydrants red, white and blue that people do to celebrate something they revere," he said.

Marjorie Hershey, a political scientist emeritus at Indiana University, said this year's anniversary celebrations are colored by dissatisfaction with Trump, as evidenced by "No Kings" rallies that invoke a spirit of revolutionary resistance.

"I think one thing that keeps us from feeling like celebrating is a deep sense of deja vu when we reread the Declaration of Independence today," Hershey said in Bloomington, Indiana. "After all, so many of the charges the declaration cites against King George III could just as easily be brought against Donald Trump now."

'Shoulder to shoulder'

Still, some elected officials are celebrating Charles' visit and the partnership it is meant to symbolize.

"For generations, Brits and Americans have stood shoulder to shoulder in the fight against tyrants and terrorists," said Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Amityville). "I hope King Charles III’s visit is a sign that our nations will remain strong security partners for many years to come."

Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) said he hopes the visit and the anniversary will bring Americans together "and remind us of our shared values."

But Paul Brace, a political science professor at Rice University in Houston said: "My instincts and age tell me this is a pale shadow of 1976."

Brace added of Charles’ address Tuesday to Congress, "Indeed, this may be as much about bolstering the bickering and waning monarchy in Britain as much as it is about commemorating American independence."