King to defend 'democratic values' as US state visit begins

King to defend 'democratic values' as US state visit begins12 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleSean CoughlanRoyal correspondent, Washington DCReutersKing Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived in the US at the start of a four-day state visit - the first since Queen Elizabeth II's visit in 2007.They arrived at Andrews military airbase in Maryland before being greeted at the White House by President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.Security is extremely tight after the shooting incident in Washington DC at an event attended by the president on Saturday.King Charles will address the US Congress on Tuesday and it is expected that he will express sympathy over the attack.His speech is also expected to say that in times of great international challenges, it is more necessary than ever to stand together to defend democratic values.ReutersThe King will say that despite current disagreements between the US and the UK, "time and again, our two countries have always found ways to come together".His address to Congress will call for "reconciliation and renewal" of the US and UK partnership and advocate for shared values of tolerance, liberty and equality.He will urge the defence of those beliefs, whether through supporting Nato or protecting Ukraine, according to royal sources.The King will tell US lawmakers that the transatlantic alliance is built on a "generosity of spirit and a duty to foster compassion, to promote peace, to deepen mutual understanding and to value people of all faiths and none".On Monday, on arrival at the airbase in Maryland, the royal couple were greeted on the runway by the US chief of protocol Monica Crowley and the British ambassador to the US, Sir Christian Turner, among other dignitaries.They were then given flowers by two children, before a band performed the British and American national anthems.ReutersThe King and Queen went on to meet the Trumps, who greeted their visitors on the...