After receiving an enthusiastic welcome from Congress, King Charles III addressed the legislative body Tuesday in a historic speech, marking only the second time a British monarch has ever addressed Congress — the first being his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1991.

In his opening remarks, the king thanked the representatives of the American people for inviting him and Queen Camilla to mark the 250th year since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Noting the similarities between the American and British peoples, he quoted the famous nineteenth-century Irish-British wit and poet, saying, “We have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, language!”

King Charles raised the attempt on President Donald Trump’s life at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner Saturday night and condemned the act of political violence.

“Let me say with unshakeable resolve: such acts of violence will never succeed,” he said. “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.”

The British monarch pointed out that the rift between the colonies and Great Britain that drove them to split apart turned out to be a value both countries share, showing the fundamental ties between the two countries even during deep disagreement.

“Indeed, the very principle on which your Congress was founded — no taxation without representation — was at once a fundamental disagreement between us,” he said, “and at the same time a shared democratic value which you inherited from us.”

Building on this idea that their disagreements are born out of shared values, he said that when they agree, they are even stronger for it.

“Ours is a partnership born out of dispute, but no less strong for it,” he declared.

“And by Jove, Mr. Speaker, when we have found that way to agree, what great change is brought about — not just for the benefit of our peoples, but of all peoples,” he said.

Quoting Trump, he said, “As President Trump himself observed during his State Visit to Britain last Autumn, ‘The bond of kinship and identity between America and the United Kingdom is priceless and eternal. It is irreplaceable and unbreakable.’”

King Charles went on to describe the shared roots of the two nations, beginning with Magna Carta in the thirteenth century and branching out into the British Enlightenment and Common Law, which he said influenced the thinking of the founders and the United States Constitution, which, like the British system, emphasizes the rule of law, representative democracy and a system of checks and balances. He also drew a direct line from the Declaration of Rights of 1689 to the American Bill of Rights of 1791.

He also spoke about his deep faith, which he said he shared with many of those present, describing it as “a firm anchor and daily inspiration that guides us not only personally, but together as members of our community” and “the triumph of light over darkness which I have found confirmed countless times,” as he has seen respect born of understanding grow between people of all faiths and no faith.

The king lauded the special relationship between the two countries and stressed their strong military and security cooperation, while noting the increasingly dangerous times we live in and the commitment of the United Kingdom to increase defense spending to meet that challenge.

Speaking about the terror attack of 9/11, King Charles said that NATO answered the call and stood by the U.S. as it battled terror. He said he and his wife would visit the site of the attack and pay their respects to the victims and heroes of that day.

The theme that kept recurring throughout his speech was the importance of the U.S.-British alliance and the need to commit to nurturing that relationship.

“The story of the United Kingdom and the United States is, at its heart, a story of reconciliation, renewal and remarkable partnership,” the king said. “From the bitter divisions of 250 years ago, we forged a friendship that has grown into one of the most consequential alliances in human history.”

“I pray with all my heart that our alliance will continue to defend our shared values, with our partners in Europe and the Commonwealth, and across the world, and that we ignore the clarion calls to become ever more inward-looking,” he added.

King Charles concluded his speech with a blessing:

“To the United States of America, on your 250th birthday, let our two countries rededicate ourselves to each other in the selfless service of our peoples and of all the peoples of the world. God bless the United States and God bless the United Kingdom.”