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The royal family welcomed German The President and his wife visit Britain for a historic event state visit,
Prince and met the princess of wales Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Elke Budenbender Heathrow Airport during his state visit on Wednesday morning.
The couple were then warmly welcomed by the King and Queen outside Windsor and Eton Riverside train station, followed by a colorful carriage ride through the streets of the Berkshire town and a 41-gun royal salute.
It is the first state visit by a German president to Britain in 27 years, and the fifth since 1958. King and the queen made a state visit Germany in 2023,
A carpet-lining party, formed by The King’s Color Squadron, Royal The air force was in position on Wednesday morning for the arrival of the President’s Bundesrepublik Deutschland aircraft.
Wearing a suit, William welcomed the king’s guests with Kate, who wore a Burberry dress with a blue coat designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.
The royal couple shook hands with the president and his wife, with Ms. Buddenbender smiling, crossing her arms over her chest as she chatted with Kate.
Also waiting at the airport in west London was a welcome party that included Matt Jukes, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, and Andrew Mitchell, the British ambassador to Germany.
The couple then went to meet the King and Queen in the cool open air outside Windsor and Eton Riverside train station.
As Mr Steinmeier approached, Charles spread his arms and said loudly to the King: “Your Majesty, it is so wonderful to meet you again” before he laughed heartily and placed his hand on top of the King’s during a handshake.
In the bright, cool December sunshine, the royal party and their guests took part in a colorful carriage ride through the streets of the Berkshire town, led by a sovereign escort of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
A 41-gun royal salute was fired from the east lawn within Windsor Home Park, timed with military precision, as the King and Camilla greeted their guests at noon, before introducing them to local dignitaries and joining them for the playing of the German national anthem.
The streets were guarded by ceremonial troops from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army and Royal Air Force and decorated with German and Union flags.
Mr Steinmeier and Ms Buddenbender will be given a lavish state banquet this evening at St George’s Hall, which is decorated for Christmas with a six-metre Christmas tree grown in Windsor Great Park and featuring 3,000 twinkling lights.
On Thursday morning, he will personally lay flowers at the grave of the late Queen Elizabeth II in the palace’s St George’s Chapel, before joining the king and queen at the Big Help Out reception to showcase the impact of volunteering on communities.
Before the formal farewell, they will be shown the State Sleigh, which was designed by Queen Victoria’s German-born husband, Prince Albert, and recorded in Victoria’s diary in 1845.
State visits, which leverage the royal family’s soft power to strengthen diplomatic ties abroad, have moved from Buckingham Palace to Windsor for the next few years, while reservations at the royal residence in London continue.