The Prince and Princess of Wales met the German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and his wife Elke Budenbender at Heathrow airport on Wednesday morning at the start of their state trip. It is the first state visit to the UK by a German president in 27 years, and the fifth since 1958. It follows the King and Queen’s state visit to Germany in 2023.
During Catherine’s greeting at Heathrow, a lip reader deciphered the interaction between the royal and the German President’s wife, where she gave a candid update on her housing renovations.
Speaking on behalf of Betfair Casino, lip reader, Nicola Hickling caught Catherine’s five-word comment about when they would start redecorating: “We will start after Christmas.”
The German first lady and Catherine spoke about the family’s new home and how decorating plans were going. The expert lipreader noted Catherine had said: “We are putting together some mood boards for the room and we will start after Christmas.”
The first lady replied, “Good decision, that makes sense. Can you send me pictures when they’re done?” to which Catherine agreed.
Prince William and his family had been living in the four-bedroom Adelaide Cottage since the autumn of 2022, but they have now settled into their new home.
Their new home, Forest Lodge, is located only a short distance away from Adelaide Cottage in Windsor Great Park. The family moved during the children’s half-term break from Lambrook School, allowing all three children to remain enrolled at their school and continue to enjoy private family life.
The move was completed earlier than originally planned—the family was initially expected to relocate around Christmas 2025, but moved in by early November instead.
The eight bedroom Georgian-style Forest Lodge property (originally named “Holly Grove”) was built in the 1770s, and came into the possession of the Crown Estate in 1829.
Today, Catherine spoke about her home furnishing plans during the first state visit to the UK by a German president in 27 years, and the fifth since 1958.
Dressed in a smart suit, William greeted the King’s guests alongside his wife, who was wearing a Burberry dress with a blue coat by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.
The royal couple shook hands with the president and his wife, with Ms Budenbender smiling as she chatted with Catherine.