King Charles in a moment of history as he addresses Congress

Charles III made history when be became the first British King to address Congress.

King Charles and Queen Camilla were given a standing ovation as they entered for this important moment.

The King spoke passionately about peace, democracy and shared values and made many references to the history of both Britain and the United States.

He also referred several times to his own family, noting that his grandfather, George VI, had been the first British king to visit the United States, along ”with my beloved Grandmother, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother”. And he made reference to the first British Monarch to address Congress, his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, saying she, too, had been ”afforded this signal honour and similarly spoke under the watchful eye of the Statue of Freedom above us.”

There were jokes, too, with The King noting that the Declaration of Independence happened 250 years ago, adding ”or, as we say in the United Kingdom, just the other day”.

And he referred to faith, saying ”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.”

The King’s full speech, a moment of history, is here.