King Charles will host the German president for a historic state visit in Windsor starting tomorrow, marking the third major state visit this year, with a key role for the Prince and Princess of Wales
With the King and Queen preparing for their third inward state visit of the year, here’s everything we know so far about the German president’s three day visit to the UK
- King Charles is preparing to host the German president for a historic state visit, with the three-day trip kicking off in Windsor on Wednesday.
- Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife, former judge Elke Budenbender, will be formally welcomed by the Prince and Princess of Wales on behalf of the monarch when they touch down in Heathrow tomorrow, before travelling to Windsor.
- After enjoying a carriage ride through the streets to the castle, Mr Steinmeier will receive a ceremonial welcome in the castle quadrangle, attended by the King, Camilla, William and Kate. The German leader will then be feted with a grand state banquet in the historic royal residence’s St George’s Hall on Wednesday evening.
- On Thursday morning he will privately lay flowers at the tomb of the late Queen Elizabeth II in the castle’s St George’s Chapel, before joining the King and Queen for a Big Help Out reception to showcase the impact volunteering can have on communities.
- The trip will be the first time a German president has been hosted on a state visit in 27 years, and only the fifth state visit from Germany since 1958. It will also mark the third inward state visit for King Charles this year, after welcoming French president Emmanuel Macron in July and US President Donald Trump in September.
- President Steinmeier has visited Britain on several occasions, most recently to attend Their Majesties’ Coronation in May 2023.
- Outside of the planned royal events, Mr Steinmeier will visit Downing Street for talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday afternoon and join a meeting of UK and German business leaders. Mr Steinmeier will also address Parliament on Thursday.
- The German president and his wife will pay a poignant visit on Friday with the Duke of Kent to lay a wreath at the ruins of the old Coventry Cathedral, which was bombed by the Germans during the Second World War. This year marks the 85th anniversary of the Coventry Blitz in November 1940, in which 568 people were killed and 4,300 homes destroyed, along with the Cathedral Church of St Michael.
