King Charles welcomed German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Britain on Wednesday, marking the start of a three-day state visit aimed at reinforcing ties between the two nations. This is the first state visit by a German president in nearly three decades and follows Charles’ own inaugural overseas tour to Germany in 2023 after becoming king. The visit highlights a renewed effort to strengthen UK–EU relations in the post-Brexit era.
The king and Queen Camilla greeted President Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Büdenbender, in Windsor before joining a ceremonial carriage procession to Windsor Castle, accompanied by Prince William and Princess Kate. Steinmeier is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Downing Street, followed by a state banquet at the castle later in the day. The trip comes shortly after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit in July, during which he signed a new treaty with Britain aimed at resetting diplomatic ties.
During the rest of the visit, Steinmeier will lay flowers at the tomb of the late Queen Elizabeth, view the historic State Sleigh designed by Prince Albert, and deliver an address to British lawmakers. He will also meet German footballers playing in the Premier League. On Friday, the German president and his wife will travel to Coventry—devastated by bombings during World War Two—where he will lay a wreath at the ruins of the old cathedral alongside the Duke of Kent, commemorating shared history and reconciliation.
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