King says relationship between Britain and the US is ‘more important today than it has ever been’ and the countries’ bond is ‘irreplaceable and unbreakable’ in speech to Congress – while acknowledging victims of sexual abuse

The King has told US lawmakers that the relationship between Great Britain and the United States of America is ‘more important today than it has ever been’.

He said the challenges in the world today means that it is imperative the bond between our two countries remains ‘irreplaceable and unbreakable.’

The Monarch received a four-minute standing ovation as he walked into the packed chamber before he had even said a word, and another loud round of applause as he took to his feet to speak. 

He thanked the American people ‘on behalf of the Queen and myself’ for welcoming them to the US to mark the semi-quincentennial year of the Declaration of Independence.

Charles also made brief reference to the events of Saturday evening – when a shooter attempted to assassinate Mr Trump and senior members of his administration at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner – in a spirit of ‘solidarity, sympathy and support’.

Adding that ‘such acts of violence will never succeed’.

He used his historic 20-minute speech to Congress – becoming the first British king in history, and only the second British monarch after his late mother, to address a joint session – to very gently reference the victims of sexual abuse, although he did not refer to the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein directly.

Charles spoke about the need to ‘support victims of some of the ills that, so tragically, exist in both our societies today’.

A royal source told the Mail that ‘it was certainly in His Majesty’s mind to acknowledge victims of abuse’.