King Charles III and his Queen Consort arrived in Germany on Wednesday for their first overseas state visit as monarch, following a postponed first leg of their trip to France.
The royal couple landed at Berlin Brandenburg Airport to start their three-day visit, where they were welcomed with a gun salute and a fly-past by two military jets. German officials greeted the King and Queen Consort upon their arrival.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Budenbender, welcomed the visiting monarchs at Pariser Platz with a full ceremonial welcome. The occasion was significant, as it marked the first time a head of state had been officially welcomed at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate rather than at Schloss Bellevue, the official residence of the German president.
As the royals stepped out of the car, the crowd cheered, with supporters waving German and Union Jack flags above their heads. The national anthems of both nations played, after which the King, accompanied by the president, inspected the honor guard before making their way over to greet members of the public. Camilla, accompanied by Budenbender, did the same on the other side of Pariser Platz, wearing a turquoise dress and coat with a hat by Irish milliner Philip Treacy.
The welcoming ceremony at Brandenburg Gate drew a large crowd of general public, school groups, members of the Royal British Legion, as well as British Embassy employees and their families.
The visit to Germany marks the King’s first overseas state visit as monarch, reflecting his commitment to promoting relations between the United Kingdom and other countries. The warm welcome from the German people and officials reflects the positive relationship between the two nations, and the hope for a continued strong partnership moving forward.
