German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has arrived in Britain for a landmark State Visit, marking the first such trip by a German head of state in nearly three decades.
King Charles, Queen Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales extended a cordial reception to Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Budenbender, outside Windsor and Eton Riverside station on a crisp December morning.
The German leader greeted the monarch with evident warmth, declaring: "It's so wonderful, your majesty, to see you again" before sharing a hearty laugh and clasping the King's hand.
Windsor Castle provided a magnificent backdrop for the occasion, with the royal party and their distinguished guests gathering in bright, cold sunshine.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has arrived in Britain for a landmark State Visit, marking the first such trip by a German head of state in nearly three decades.
|GETTY
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
The three-day visit represents a significant moment in Anglo-German relations, with the Royal Family deploying its ceremonial traditions to reinforce diplomatic bonds between the two nations.
Following the station welcome, a spectacular carriage procession wound through the Berkshire town's streets, escorted by the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment's Sovereign's Escort.
A 41-gun royal salute thundered from the East Lawn of Windsor Home Park, precisely timed to coincide with the midday greeting between the monarchs and their guests.
The King and President Steinmeier travelled together in the enclosed Irish State Coach, offering protection from the December chill – a contrast to the open-top carriage that conveyed French President Emmanuel Macron during his summer visit.
Queen Camilla and Ms Budenbender followed in the Australian State Coach, while William and Kate occupied the Scottish State Coach alongside German state secretary Dorte Dinger and MEP David McAllister, vice president of the European People's Party.
King Charles, Queen Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales extended a cordial reception to Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Budenbender, outside Windsor and Eton Riverside station on a crisp December morning.
|GETTY
The Prince and Princess of Wales had earlier fulfilled their traditional role of collecting the German couple from Heathrow Airport.
The Princess of Wales chose a blue coat designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, paired with a coordinating hat and her hair worn down and straight.
Kate accessorised with earrings that once belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales, along with a Prince of Wales Feathers brooch, and performed a double curtsey upon arrival – one for the King and another for the Queen.
Queen Camilla selected a sapphire blue silk dress beneath a cashmere top stitch coat by Anna Valentine, completed with a Philip Treacy feathered hat in the same shade.
The Prince and Princess of Wales had earlier fulfilled their traditional role of collecting the German couple from Heathrow Airport.
|GETTY
The Prince and Princess of Wales had earlier fulfilled their traditional role of collecting the German couple from Heathrow Airport
|GETTY
The Queen's jewellery carried particular historical resonance: she wore a sapphire and diamond brooch previously owned by Queen Victoria, whose husband, Prince Albert, was German-born.
The King dressed in a traditional dark overcoat, while Camilla completed her ensemble with black boots and gloves against the winter cold.
More than 850 personnel from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army and Royal Air Force are supporting the ceremonial elements of the visit, alongside 150 horses.
More than 850 personnel from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army and Royal Air Force are supporting the ceremonial elements of the visit, alongside 150 horses.
|GETTY
Cavalrymen from the Blues and Royals rode immaculately groomed Irish chargers wearing blue cloaks and red-plumed silver helmets of the "Albert pattern" – a design created by Prince Albert himself.
German and Union flags decorated the route, while an oversized Royal Standard flew from the castle's Round Tower.
This evening, the German President and his wife will attend a grand state banquet in St George's Hall, which has been adorned for the festive season with a six-metre Christmas tree from Windsor Great Park, illuminated by 3,000 lights.
State visits have temporarily relocated from Buckingham Palace to Windsor while refurbishment work continues at the London residence.
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter