King Charles sends ‘personal message of gratitude’ to Nato to mark its 75th anniversary
King Charles has sent a “personal message of gratitude and congratulations” to Nato, as the defensive alliance marked its 75th anniversary.
The King, 75, praised the treaty organisation as “an antidote to years of war in Europe” and “the cornerstone of our security and the values we hold dear” in a letter to secretary general Jens Stoltenberg.
The monarch also commended Nato’s steadfast support for Ukraine and welcomed new Scandinavian member countries.
King Charles extended gratitude across the Atlantic, saying Nato was a “symbol of the enduring bond between Europe and North America”.
The anniversary comes at a testing moment for Nato, as pressure mounts on the organisation over its response to the conflict in Ukraine.
The King wrote: “75 years ago, 12 countries gathered in Washington DC to call into being a defensive alliance that would act as an antidote to years of war in Europe, a symbol of the enduring bond between Europe and North America.
“The United Kingdom’s signature on the Washington Treaty marks our fundamental commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) as the cornerstone of our security and the values we hold dear.”
King Charles said he was pleased the alliance had grown with the addition of Sweden, which officially joined on March 7, and Finland, which became a Nato member on April 4, 2023.
He added: “As we welcome the citizens of Sweden and Finland to the protection that Nato affords, our thoughts remain with the Ukrainian people.
“In the face of an unprovoked invasion, Nato has shown steadfast support for Ukraine in its courageous battle for sovereignty.”
Nato members’ commitment to Ukraine has been strong for the most part.
However, support from the US has wavered in recent times with a Ukraine aid bill facing opposition in Congress.
King Charles praised the endurance of Nato and the UK’s prominent role within it, as he noted the relocation of the organisation’s headquarters.
He continued: “The United Kingdom has been there from the start.
“Nato’s headquarters may have travelled from Belgrave Square in London, to the streets of Paris, and now to Brussels, but its core task endures: to protect the one billion citizens of our Nato allies.
“This vital alliance continues to thrive and adapt in the face of new threats and challenges.
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“Having myself been born six months before the birth of Nato, I would like to send a personal message of gratitude and congratulations to Nato on its seventy-fifth anniversary.
“This is a moment of celebration and a reminder of Nato’s founding principle: for the preservation of peace and security.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the anniversary was a “moment to renew our historic pledge” to what he described as “the most successful alliance the world has ever known.”
He added: “The UK has been at the heart of Nato since the start. Today, faced with new threats in Europe, we continue to lead – through our incredible armed forces, our growing investment in defence, and our utter determination to stand by Ukraine – which has strengthened allied unity like never before. I say it once again: Ukraine’s rightful place is in Nato.”