LATIKA M BOURKE: Unorthodox King Charles challenges Donald Trump-era isolationism in US Congress address

King Charles III’s plea to Congress to resist isolationism, a reminder of the need for peace in Ukraine, as well as the value of allies, was brave, funny, eloquent and demonstrated the value of his unorthodox approach as a royal.

His special mention of AUKUS and Australia, which earned applause from the bitterly divided US Congress, emphasised the value of the monarch beyond Britain and, paradoxically, his unique royal position to say the unsayable.

As Prince of Wales, Charles was seen as a political meddler, writing to ministers and speaking on issues such as environmentalism, farming, architecture and even genetically modified crops.

Royals are supposed to say as little as possible to avoid any perception of being anything other than politically neutral. In 2018, Charles acknowledged his meddling and told the BBC he would not indulge it when sovereign — “I’m not that stupid,” he said at the time.

But Western allies should be grateful for his decades of practice. It meant that in April 2026, he could use his special position as monarch to speak to the Americans the words our political leaders cannot, at least not without risking the fury and vengeance of Donald Trump.

From NATO, to Ukraine, to AUKUS, the King used his address to Congress to remind America of its superpower role and the power of its allies, as he urged that they “ignore the clarion calls to become ever more inward-looking.”

“America’s words carry weight and meaning, as they have since Independence. The actions of this great Nation matter even more,” he said, invoking Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.

“The challenges we face are too great for any one Nation to bear alone. But in this unpredictable environment, our Alliance cannot rest on past achievements, or assume that foundational principles simply endure.”

Many in the UK had not wanted this visit to go ahead because of Mr Trump’s repeated insults of Britain and the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer. Relations between the US and UK have reached a tense point.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly lashed out at Sir Keir for not backing the war in Iran, and initially denying the US access to joint bases.

Some European countries also denied the US landing rights and have outright condemned the war. This has enraged Trump, and the US President has made repeated threats to withdraw from NATO.

Even suggesting this is an erosion of NATO’s fundamental deterrence clause, Article 5, which states that an attack on one will be treated as an attack on all.

Mr Trump has also threatened NATO by suggesting he might invade Greenland, administered by NATO ally Denmark. When the US President was forced to retreat, he lashed out at Alliance members for not fighting in Afghanistan and suggested allies, and specifically, the British, had not fought on the frontline with the Americans.

It was an insult that even for Mr Trump could not be overlooked. The King’s self-exiled second son, Prince Harry, who fought in Afghanistan, had already chastised the US President.

This time it was his father’s turn.

“In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, when NATO invoked Article 5 for the first time … we answered the call together – as our people have done so for more than a century, shoulder to shoulder, through two World Wars, the Cold War, Afghanistan and moments that have defined our shared security,” King Charles said.

“Today, Mr Speaker, that same, unyielding resolve is needed for the defence of Ukraine and her most courageous people – it is needed in order to secure a truly just and lasting peace.”

As President, Mr Trump was not allowed inside the Capitol building to watch the speech. Earlier, he told a gathering at the White House, standing next to the King, that he would have loved to be there but was forbidden by protocol.

But the President, who promised to end the war in Ukraine in one day, but now appears to have lost interest after starting his war in Iran and attacking Venezuela, will no doubt have heard the King’s graciously delivered admonition.

He did not shy away from raising climate change, a cause he has campaigned on for decades and long before it became a mainstream political issue, now reviled by the US political right as well as parts of Australia’s right.

“From the depths of the Atlantic to the disastrously melting ice-caps of the Arctic, the commitment and expertise of the United States Armed Forces and its allies lie at the heart of NATO, pledged to each other’s defence, protecting our

citizens and interests, keeping North Americans and Europeans safe from our common adversaries,” he said.

“Our defence, intelligence and security ties are hardwired together through relationships measured not in years, but in decades.”

He reminded the US of the joint defence projects they are undertaking, including fighter jets and submarines. When it came to AUKUS, he could not finish his sentence, as the Congress interrupted to applaud the project.

It was another testimony for the bipartisan support for the project that Pentagon official and one-time AUKUS-sceptic Elbridge Colby tried but failed to nix last year with his America First review.

He made special mention of Australia, saying he was “so immensely proud to serve as Sovereign.”

It was a speech that every Australian, republican, monarchist or just plain apathetic, should recognise as being delivered in Australia’s security interests also.

Republican Senator and Trump-whisperer Lindsey Graham said, “The King nailed it.”

“His speech was a much-needed morale boost for Congress, as he glowingly praised our nation and highlighted the role Congress plays in our democratic republic,” Senator Graham wrote on X.

“The speech was a terrific combo of wit, humour, history and appreciation.

“I believe most members of Congress feel better after the speech than they did before. Though I will admit it was a bit odd that the unifying feeling had to come from the King of England… but so be it!”

What effect this will have on Trump and MAGA to stick by NATO over the next few decades is the bigger question. It may mean nothing at all if what comes after Trump is even more ideological.

But King Charles demonstrated royal bravery with his unconventional approach and daring speech, which once again reinforced the value of the monarchy in a world of turbulence.