King Charles III gave a historic speech Tuesday to a joint session of Congress where he hailed the United Kingdom's and United States' centuries-long relationship as part of the monarch's visit to the U.S. for the nation's 250th anniversary.

Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson presided over the joint session, which was also attended by Supreme Court justices and members of President Donald Trump's Cabinet. 

The king reflected on the shooting at the White House Correspondents' dinner over the weekend, which occurred before he arrived in the U.S., claiming that "such acts of violence will never succeed." 

"We meet in times of great uncertainty, in times of conflict from Europe to the Middle East, which pose immense challenges for the international community and whose impact is felt in communities the length and breadth of our own countries," he said.

"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 continued. "Let me say with unshakable resolve, such acts of violence will never succeed."

The royal said he has come to Capitol Hill with "the highest respect" for lawmakers and emphasized the importance of the U.K. and American alliance.

"The alliance that our two nations have built over the centuries, and for which we are profoundly grateful to the American people, is truly unique," he said, adding that it's "more important today than it has ever been. The challenges we face are too great for any one nation to bear alone. 

"In this unpredictable environment, our alliance cannot rest on past achievements, or assume that foundational principles simply endure," he continued. "As my prime minister said last month, 'ours is an indispensable partnership. We must not disregard everything that has sustained us for the last 80 years. Instead, we must build on it.'" 

The monarch also praised the Founding Fathers of the United States and jokingly promised that he is not in the U.S. as "part of some cunning rear guard action."

"The Founding Fathers were bold and imaginative rebels with a cause 250 years ago, or as we say in the United Kingdom, just the other day," he joked. "They declared independence by balancing contending forces and drawing strength into diversity. They united 13 disparate colonies to forge a nation on the revolutionary idea of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

He additionally reflected on Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, stating that the former president understood that American words carry weight, but that actions matter more.

"So to the United States of America on your 250th birthday, that our two countries rededicate ourselves to each other in the selfless service of our people and of all the peoples of the world," Charles said. "God bless the United States and God bless the United Kingdom." 

The king's speech comes during his first stateside visit as monarch, alongside Queen Camilla, and will be in the U.S. for a total of four days. He arrived Monday and is expected to depart for Bermuda on Thursday.

The royal is also expected to attend a state dinner at the White House Tuesday evening.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.