WASHINGTON, D.C. — King Charles III addressed the U.S. Congress on Tuesday, praising the rule of law, Magna Carta and NATO while urging American lawmakers to stand by Ukraine. Members of both parties rose for a standing ovation after the king's tribute to Magna Carta.

In his speech, Charles extolled the benefits of the rule of law, an independent judiciary, and the strengths that flow from "vibrant, diverse, and free societies." Charles also hailed NATO as the foundation of common defense and called on Congress to defend Ukraine and her most courageous people with the same unyielding resolve the United States has shown in fighting two world wars and other international threats to democracy.

Public opinion polls show that majorities of Americans continue to sympathize with Ukraine, support military assistance for Kyiv, and blame Vladimir Putin for starting the war. The U.S. Supreme Court has cited Magna Carta at least 160 times in its history.

Charles is the great-great-great-great-great-grandson of George III, the British monarch who lost the Revolutionary War to American colonists. While Charles was speaking, the White House posted an image of President Donald Trump and the king on social media with the caption "TWO KINGS. 👑"

At a state dinner later that evening, Trump praised the address as "fantastic" and said Charles had succeeded in getting Democrats to stand and applaud. "He's a great King. The greatest King, in my book," Trump said.

The press office account for California Governor Gavin Newsom on X reposted an image of Trump and Charles alongside the message: "One is the King of the U.K. And the other is the King of Bulls--t."