King Charles III said in Berlin on Wednesday that Britain and Germany stood “side by side” in supporting Kiev in defending freedom in the face of Russian aggression against Ukraine.
“We stand side by side to protect and promote our shared democratic values”said the British monarch in a speech on the first day of a state visit to Germany, his first trip abroad as a sovereign.
At a dinner in his honor at the residence of the German president in Berlin, Charles III said he intended to strengthen ties between the United Kingdom and Germany.
“During my reign as king, I will do my best to strengthen our ties,” he said.
Britain’s King Carlos III began his first visit abroad as a monarch in Germany this Wednesday, hailed by the Republic’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier as “a new chapter” in post-Brexit relations between the respective countries ‘.
“Today, six years after the UK started the process of leaving the European Union [‘Brexit’]we have opened a new chapter in our relations”declared the German head of state at Bellevue Palace, his official residence, in a speech welcoming Charles III and the queen’s consort, Camilla.
The visit is “an important sign in the German-British relationship”.
The couple will spend three days in Germany. Initially, the intention was to travel to France first, but that trip was canceled due to social outrage about the revision of the pension law in the country.
Upon arrival of the British royal plane at Berlin International Airport, Carlos III and Camilla were greeted with 21 gun salutes, two Eurofighter fighter jets flying by and a military guard of honour.
The British King and Queen Consort then proceeded to the Brandenburg Gate for unprecedented military honors, accompanied by Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife.
It is the first time that such a ceremony for a guest of state has been held next to that emblematic monument that has also symbolized the division of the city for almost three decades.
Carlos III, aged 74, a long-time defender of environmental protection, then attended a reception at Bellevue Palace dedicated to climate challenges, which was followed by a banquet with vegetarian options on the menu, accompanied by German wines.
The program continues in Berlin on Thursday, culminating in a speech by the British monarch in the Bundestag (federal parliament). Before that, the monarch will meet with the German chancellor, Olaf Scholz.
Charles III’s agenda in Berlin that same day also includes a visit to a city market accompanied by the mayor, a meeting with Ukrainian refugees and a visit to an organic farm in Brandenburg, a region on the outskirts of the German capital. .
The British royal couple’s trip to Germany ends on Friday with a visit to the northern port city of Hamburg, the second largest in the country.
Source: DN
