Following the cancellation of his state visit to France, Charles III has granted the honours of his first official European trip to Germany. He arrived on Wednesday, March 29th in Berlin, where his presence is of great symbolic importance both for Germany and Europe, for a stay that is due to last until Friday, March 31st.
On his arrival, Charles III was welcomed by the head of the Federal Republic, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who displayed the military honours for the King of England in front of the Brandenburg Gate—a first. The Germans were keen to prepare a grand reception for the king, who said he was “very sad” not to be able to visit France as planned, as the country is in chaos amid social unrest.
Elizabeth II last visited Germany in 2015. Germans traditionally show great affection for the British monarchy, whose dynasty has distant German roots dating back to Sophie of Hanover, mother of King George I.
Two priority issues are to be discussed during King Charles III’s visit: climate, and the situation in Ukraine. The British monarch, who is particularly sensitive to climate issues, attended a reception on Wednesday, March 29th that focused on the climate ‘challenge’ before the banquet hosted by the German presidency, which was also attended by former Chancellor Angela Merkel.
On Thursday, March 30th, Charles III met with Chancellor Olaf Scholz and focused on Ukraine. Charles III gave a speech on Ukraine before the chamber of deputies: a first for a foreign sovereign. Skillfully alternating between German and English, the monarch celebrated the long-shared history of the UK and Germany with wit and finesse. He then spoke at length about the war in Ukraine, Germany’s decisive support for the attacked country—which he described as “courageous”—and the risks to European peace: “Countless lives have been destroyed, freedom and people have been brutally trampled underfoot. Europe’s security is under threat, as are our democratic values,” he said.
The king is scheduled to visit a reception centre for Ukrainian refugees. King Charles III’s trip to Germany continues on Friday 31st with a visit to the port city of Hamburg. According to Emmanuel Macron, Charles III’s visit to France is to be postponed until the summer, “when calm has returned.”
