King Charles addresses joint meeting of US Congress

King Charles becomes the second British monarch to address both chambers of the US Congress.

Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla, are visiting Washington for an official state visit.

Here are the latest updates on the royals' visit to the US on April 28:
King Charles III has arrived at the US Caiptol in Washington, where he will shortly deliver a rare speech to Congress.

He will reportedly stress importance of unity and the need to defend democratic values, at a time of somewhat strained relations between the US president and the British prime minister.

Charles will be only the second British monarch to address the US Congress.

The first was his mother, Queen Elizabeth II , who spoke to both houses in 1991.

UK ambassador previously said US only has 'special relationship' with Israel — report
Moments after Donald Trump hailed the "special relationship" between the US and the UK, comments from the British ambassador have come to light in which he said the US only has a special relationship with Israel.

The Financial Times reported on Tuesday that, back in February, British ambassador to Washington Christian Turner told a group of visiting British students that he found the term to be "quite nostalgic" and "backwards-looking."
"I think there is probably one country that has a special relationship with the United States — and that is probably Israel," Turner reportedly said.

In a statement provided to the AFP news agency on Tuesday, the UK Foreign Office said the remarks had been "private, informal comments made to a group of UK sixth-form students visiting the US in early February."
"They are certainly not any reflection of the UK Government's position," the Foreign Office added
Trump holds talks with Charles in the Oval Office
After a ceremonial welcome marked with pomp and pageantry, President Trump and King Charles held talks in the Oval Office.

But the meeting was held behind closed doors.

After the talks, the Trumps later escorted the king and queen to their limousine.

"It was a really good meeting.

He's a fantastic person.

They're incredible people and it's a real honor," Trump told reporters afterward.

The royal couple will return to the White House later in the evening for a grand state dinner.

Charles arrives at White House as Trump hails 'special relationship'
Britain's King Charles III arrived at the White House again on Tuesday for a meeting with US President Donald Trump.

Charles and Queen Camilla were greeted by the president and First Lady Melania Trump.

"In the centuries since we won our independence, Americans have had no closer friends than the British," Trump said in a speech.

And despite having recently said he was "not happy" with the UK over its position on the Strait of Hormuz and referring to two British aircraft carriers as "toys," Trump went on to say that "nobody fought better together" than the US and the UK.

Charles is scheduled to deliver a rare address to Congress at 3 p.m.

local time (1900 GMT/UTC).

King Charles and Queen Camilla are visiting Washington at a time when fractures in the US-UK bilateral relationship have dominated headlines.

Can their visit mend transatlantic relations?

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First lady's office posts photos of tour of new beehive on White House grounds
The first lady's office posted pictures of the Trumps and the royals touring Melania Trump's beekeeping program on the White House grounds.

The royals are supporters of beekeeping, and the first lady showed off a beehive that's shaped to look like a miniature White House.

What's the agenda on the second day?

King Charles III will privately meet with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office and Queen Camilla is expected to take part in an education event with First Lady Melania Trump.

Later, Charles delivers an address to a joint session of the US Congress, becoming the first British monarch to do so since his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, addressed Congress in 1991.

The king plans to tell Congress that the "two countries have always found ways to come together," according to a preview of his remarks by Buckingham Palace.

Charles' speech, which is expected to last 20 minutes, will also likely mark the most extensive public remarks he will deliver during his four-day visit to the US.

Such addresses are an opportunity afforded to only the most prominent world leaders.

Day one recap: What to know about King Charles III's state visit to the US
Britain's King Charles III and his wife, Queen Camilla, began their four-day state visit to the US on Monday.

They met with President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump at the White House.

After having tea there , the royals mingled with US Cabinet members and others at the British Embassy in Washington at a garden party.

Charles and his wife are visiting the US to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the US's independence from Britain and promote their close ties at a time when US-UK relations appear bumpy.

Charles' speech to the US Congress tonight is sure to generate great interest.