Charles of England and his wife, Camilla, completed a royal visit in Berlin that matched all expectations for a sovereigns’ trip in a republic. They accepted hospitality from Germany’s president at Bellevue Palace, where a banquet hosted by Frank-Walter Steinmeier brought together a diverse crowd, including former Chancellor Angela Merkel and cultural figures like the punk artist Campino. They greeted the public, wandered through a street market sampling local specialties, chatted in German with small vendors, and visited an organic farm. At the Reichstag, the federal parliament, the king spoke with confidence in both German and English, earning a warm reception. His remarks wandered between history and current affairs, with light jokes about football and a nod to the British women’s team that had recently performed well in Germany. The visit also touched on the heavy history surrounding the Reichstag, including the 1933 fire, in a manner that underscored a contemporary sense of shared responsibility and reflection. The presence of such topics did not overshadow the moment but rather framed a broader dialogue about memory and progress. A message about the end of Brexit and the ongoing ties between the two nations also found its way into the public discourse.
“My mother has earned a very special place in the hearts of Germans”, he remarked, alluding to the long tradition of royal visits that helped shape a friendship between Britain and Germany. The queen, Elizabeth II, was highlighted as an emblem of friendship and cooperation with then-Chancellor Merkel during numerous visits to Germany.
“The specter of war has returned to Europe. Many lives have been lost, and human rights have been trampled on.” He emphasized the strong and welcome military aid provided by Germany. Although the conflict in Ukraine dominated headlines, he stressed that the world did not stand still and that unity remains a source of courage.
first king in the Reichstag
The Reichstag speech, given at the heart of the Bundestag, drew laughter at its ironies and applause for references to both history and today’s challenges. It stood out as the climax of a three-day state visit and marked the first time a monarch addressed the chamber from that historic space. Before becoming king, he had visited Germany twenty-eight times as crown prince, a testament to the long-standing relationship between the two nations.
A secondary role unfolded as Chancellor Olaf Scholz greeted the royal party according to protocol. Scholz did not attend the formal honors on the first day, a customary practice in Germany when an incumbent chancellor is involved in other duties. Beyond the Bundestag welcome, there was a meeting between Scholz and the monarch, but no joint statement followed amid the discussions between Charles III and Steinmeier.
Charles III’s visit carried its own significance, standing as a milestone even as it coincided with the previous cancellation of a trip to France during a period of upheaval there. Berlin perceived this visit as a sign of renewed closeness with London in the wake of a thaw in recent relations, spurred by a political shift in Britain and new EU conversations on balancing relations with Northern Ireland.
The visit also framed a broader diplomatic arc, with a later engagement in Paris that featured a warm gesture between the king and President Emmanuel Macron. Scholz, known for a measured style, is not famed for overt displays of warmth, yet the Berlin leadership looks to a next step. The hope is that the British government will mirror the warmth seen in other high-level exchanges and deepen cooperation with Germany in the months ahead.