King Charles and Queen Camilla have confirmed a major announcement with implications for the entire British Royal Family and it will take place in a matter of weeks
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
King Charles and the Royal family have confirmed they will host the President of Germany for a state visit in December, marking such visit to the UK this year.
In a social media post, the King and Queen announced: “The President of Germany, accompanied by Frau Büdenbender, will pay a State Visit to the United Kingdom, hosted by His Majesty The King, from Wednesday 3rd December to Friday 5th December.”
This trip signifies the first time a German president has been hosted on a state visit in 27 years, and only the fifth state visit from Germany since 1958.
President Steinmeier has previously visited Britain on several occasions – most recently to attend Their Majesties’ Coronation in May 2023.
Charles waves to politicians(Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)
Charles and Camilla also met with him and the German First Lady following his Accession to the throne, when the King became the first British Monarch to address the Bundestag, Germany’s national parliament. He received a standing ovation when he expressed his desire to “renew the pledge of friendship between our nations”, reports the Mirror.
They also attended a glamorous state banquet hosted by President Steinmeier at the Schloss Bellevue Palace in Berlin.
After their visit, the King and Queen issued a statement expressing their affection for the country, thanking the people of Germany for their “touching and warm welcome”, and adding: “We hope to return again soon!”.
Before ascending to the throne, Charles had visited Germany more than 40 times, with the King remarking about their numerous visits: “Remarkably, I realise I have visited Germany more than forty times – a measure of the importance of this relationship, of course, but also, I fear, of just how long I have been around!”.
(Image: PA)
He added: “Over all these years, and in so many ways, I have been struck by the warmth of the friendship between our nations and by the vitality of our partnership in countless areas.”
The German state visit in December represents the third incoming state visit welcomed by the King and Queen this year, following French president Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte being received at Windsor in July, and US president Donald Trump and First Lady Melania being extended an invitation for a state visit in September.
The Palace has yet to publish an official itinerary for the three-day German state visit, though it is expected to feature a ceremonial welcome, a grand state banquet in the castle’s St George’s Hall, and discussions with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.