'Acts Of Violence Will Never Succeed': King Charles III Condemns Trump's Assassination Attempt

Last Updated:April 29, 2026, 08:13 IST

King Charles III condemns the White House Correspondents Dinner shooting in a historic US Congress address, urging democratic unity and highlighting close UK US ties.

King Charles III on Tuesday strongly condemned the recent shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, stating that attempts to undermine democratic institutions through violence will never succeed. During his historic address to a Joint Meeting of the United States Congress, King Charles emphasised democratic unity.

Speaking during his ongoing state visit to the United States, the British monarch referred to the assassination attempt on US President Donald Trump at the annual event at the Washington Hilton on Saturday.

“We meet, too, in the aftermath of the incident not far from this great building that sought to harm the leadership of your Nation and to foment wider fear and discord," he said. “Let me say with unshakeable resolve: such acts of violence will never succeed."

King Charles III stressed the importance of democratic unity in the face of division, underscoring a shared commitment to protect citizens and uphold core values.

“Whatever our differences, whatever disagreements we may have, we stand united in our commitment to uphold democracy, to protect all our people from harm, and to salute the courage of those who daily risk their lives in the service of our countries," he told lawmakers.

The address, crafted with input from the UK government but reflecting the King’s personal tone, came at a time of heightened global uncertainty and domestic security concerns in the United States. He framed his remarks within the broader context of shared democratic principles and the long-standing relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States.

“I would like to take this opportunity to express my particular gratitude… to thank the American people for welcoming us to the United States to mark this semiquincentennial year of the Declaration of Independence," he said. The King noted that the destinies of the two nations have been “interlinked" for over four centuries, evolving from historic disagreements into a close and consequential alliance.

“Standing here today, it is hard not to feel the weight of history on my shoulder," he added, highlighting the shared democratic traditions and values that bind the two countries.

Describing the US Congress as a “citadel of democracy," King Charles III reflected on the long arc of UK-US relations, which have moved from conflict to one of the most significant partnerships in modern history.

He also paid tribute to his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, recalling her address to Congress in 1991, and conveyed “the highest regard and friendship of the British people" toward Americans.

Earlier in the day, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump welcomed King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the White House with full ceremonial honours, marking the formal phase of the royal couple’s four-day state visit.

The arrival ceremony on the South Lawn featured a 21-gun salute, military honours, and participation from multiple branches of the US Armed Forces, underscoring the symbolic importance of the visit and the enduring ties between the two nations.

News world 'Acts Of Violence Will Never Succeed': King Charles III Condemns Trump's Assassination Attempt

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