King Charles, the Queen Consort triumphant State Visit to Germany
King Charles and the Queen Consort, Camilla completed an impressive number of engagements in two cities in two and a half days on a German state visit, on the world stage, celebrated as a triumphant success.
King and Camilla, the Queen Consort, arriving at Berlin Brandenburg Airport, in Schönefeld for official three day state visit. Visiting the Brandenburg Gate for a ceremonial welcome there, the King and Queen Consort met German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and first lady Elke Büdenbender. Onlookers waved flags as the King and the president returned their waves. Meanwhile, the union flag was raised to the sound of God Save The King.
The president then welcomed the royal couple to Bellevue Palace, where they signed the official guest book. After a green-energy reception, the King and the president planted a tree in the garden.
And that evening, they were joined at a state banquet by British and German dignitaries, including UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly accompanied by his wife, Susannah.
Speaking in German, the King said he and the Queen Consort had been “deeply touched” by the warm welcome and praised the “very special” German nation. Both nations would stand united with Ukraine, he said. At the end of their speeches, the King and the president proposed toasts, with the president unveiling a photograph of the King as a child with his late father, Prince Philip.
On the next day, the King was welcomed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the German Chancellery, before visiting a farmers’ market in Wittenbergplatz with outgoing Berlin Mayor and state premier Franziska Giffey.
The King went on to visit the the lower house of the German parliament, where he and the Queen Consort signed the guestbook with Bundestag President Baerbel Bas. Speaking mostly in German, the King told the members of the Bundestag it was a “particular honour” to be in Germany and he wanted to “renew the pledge of friendship between our nations”. He also thanked the German people for their “extraordinary kindness” following Queen Elizabeth II’s death, last year.
The King spoke of the war in Ukraine, saying the UK and Germany stood “in defence of freedom and sovereignty”, and closed by saying: “In the long and remarkable story of our two countries, there are many chapters yet unwritten. Let us fill these with the restless pursuit of a better tomorrow.” The King received a standing ovation.
Following the event, King Charles and President Steinmeier met with representatives from the German and British Amphibious Engineer Battalion unit at Finowfurt, Schorfheide.
Meanwhile, Camilla, Queen Consort, and First Lady Budenbender visited the Komische Opera.
On Friday, the final day of the state visit, the King and Queen Consort travelled to Hamburg. The King laid a wreath to remember those who died in Allied bombings of Hamburg in World War Two, in the ruins of St Nikolai church – now preserved as a memorial to the wartime air raids. Alongside him were Hamburg’s Mayor Peter Tschentscher (left) and President Steinmeier.
Many people gathered outside Hamburg City Hall awaiting the royal couple’s next visit, where Mayor Tschentscher showed the King and Queen Consort the Golden Book in the Emperor’s Hall. A triumphant State visit, exceptional, and gracious hospitality from our German friends and hosts.
