German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has been welcomed to the United Kingdom with full royal and military honours, marking the first state visit by a German head of state in 27 years. The three-day visit, laden with symbolism and political purpose, aims to solidify a renewed partnership between the two European powers.
A Royal Welcome at Windsor Castle
The visit commenced with considerable pomp at Windsor Castle. President Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Büdenbender, were greeted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The ceremonial welcome featured a 41-gun royal salute and the flying of a special, oversized Royal Standard flag above the castle. The two couples then embarked on a carriage procession through the streets of Windsor, engaging with well-wishers.
The itinerary blends ceremony with poignant remembrance. A key moment will be the President's visit to the ruins of Coventry Cathedral, a site devastated by German bombing during the Second World War. This act of reflection underscores how far the bilateral relationship has evolved.
Underscoring the Landmark Kensington Treaty
At the heart of this diplomatic mission is the reinforcement of the Kensington Treaty. Signed in July, this pact represents the first formal agreement between the UK and Germany since the end of the Second World War. It establishes a framework for significantly closer cooperation across critical areas including defence, migration, trade, and education.
The visit occurs against a backdrop of European security concerns due to the war in Ukraine, highlighting the treaty's strategic importance. At 10 Downing Street, President Steinmeier held private talks with new Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Steinmeier noted that UK-German relations were now in "far better shape" compared to the difficult period following the 2016 Brexit referendum, crediting the Kensington Treaty as a key factor in the improvement.
"We have a new security situation in Europe," Steinmeier stated, emphasising the need for closer collaboration. Prime Minister Starmer echoed this sentiment, highlighting the two nations' aligned stance on supporting Ukraine and their shared goals on migration and economic growth.
Ceremony, Gifts, and a Shared History
The diplomatic schedule includes a lavish state banquet in Windsor Castle's St George's Hall. The venue was decorated with a nod to shared traditions, featuring a six-metre Christmas tree adorned with 3,000 lights—a custom popularised in Britain by Queen Victoria and her German husband, Prince Albert.
In the traditional exchange of gifts, King Charles presented President Steinmeier with a handmade walking stick from the Isle of Mull and a decorative slipware plate. In return, the German president gifted the King an umbrella and a specially commissioned cheese. President Steinmeier is also scheduled to address UK parliamentarians during his stay, further cementing political ties.
This historic state visit, with its blend of solemn remembrance, political dialogue, and royal ceremony, powerfully signals a deliberate and strengthened chapter in Anglo-German relations for the 21st century.
