King Charles III hosted German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at a lavish, Christmassy state banquet in St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle, marking the first German state visit in 27 years and emphasizing the critical alignment of the two Western allies.
The banquet, attended by 152 guests including notable figures like model Claudia Schiffer and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, took place under a huge 20ft Christmas tree and served as a platform for important geopolitical statements.
In his speech, King Charles, speaking with the government’s advice, strongly affirmed the countries’ unified stance, declaring that the “United Kingdom and Germany together stand with Ukraine and bolster Europe against the threat of further Russian aggression.” President Steinmeier reciprocated this message of solidarity, confirming Germany was “side by side in support of Ukraine.” The King also spoke of the long cultural ties, noting the Christmas tree itself was a German tradition brought to the UK by Queen Charlotte in 1800, alongside lighter references to the traditional football rivalry.
Senior royals, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, were present, with Catherine wearing a historic tiara designed by the German-born Prince Albert. The day of pageantry included a formal welcoming ceremony with 850 service personnel and 150 horses, and the German president later held talks with Prime Minister Starmer, who praised a recently signed treaty for fostering closer cooperation following years of difficulty post-Brexit.
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The symbolic three-day visit aims to build soft power and mend relationships, culminating in a poignant visit by the German president to the ruins of Coventry Cathedral, which was bombed during World War II.
