The King and Queen Consort have arrived in Germany for the (slightly delayed) first State Visit of the new reign.
Their Majesties were due to travel to France on Sunday, which would have been King Charles III’s first foreign travel as monarch.
But heated protests across France over pension reforms, some of which turned violent, forced the French Government to request the King’s visit be postponed.
Buckingham Palace staff will be hoping their carefully planned diary of engagements in Berlin and Hamburg this week will trump any further distractions.
The King and Queen Consort have arrived in Germany for the first State Visit of the new reign.
Reuters
The purpose of the State Visit to Germany is to strengthen relations with Britain’s European neighbours.
Described as a celebration of “shared histories, culture and values”, the visit comes just a month after the Northern Ireland post-Brexit deal (the Windsor Framework) was agreed between Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Hours after, The King held an audience with Ursula von der Leyen at Windsor Castle, which sparked some political controversy because Parliament had not formally given the new framework their approval.
Jacob Rees-Mogg, GB News presenter and former Cabinet minister, said at the time: "I think the sovereign should only be involved when things have been completed and accepted."
Buckingham Palace organises foreign trips on advice from the Government.
In post-Brexit Britain, where relations with European neighbours have (at times) been strained, the Government perhaps thought it necessary to deploy King Charles’ power of soft diplomacy in Europe, rather than sending him on a Commonwealth tour for his first foreign trip.
Queen Elizabeth II undertook her first tour of Commonwealth countries as sovereign in 1953, following her Coronation.
The King and Queen Consort have global fame, and British officials will be hoping their State Visit to Germany might propel the United Kingdom’s interests onto the world stage.
Their Majesties are expected to receive a ceremonial welcome at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin from Germany’s President Steinmeier and Frau Büdenbender.
It is understood this is the first time a foreign Head of State has received such a welcome.
King Charles is also expected to address Germany’s parliament, the Bundestag, tomorrow - the first time a British monarch has ever done so.
His Majesties' speech could be one of the most memorable moments of the State Visit because, so early on in his reign, his words will give us an indication of the kind of monarch King Charles wants to be.
The ongoing war in Ukraine is expected to feature during engagements this week too. His Majesty will meet refugees who recently arrived from Ukraine and will hear about the support Germany provides for them.
King Charles is also expected to address Germany’s parliament, the Bundestag tomorrow
PA
A joint German / United Kingdom military unit will demonstrate their bridge-building amphibious vehicles in front of The King in Brandenburg. Climate change and sustainability engagements are also on the schedule.
Despite hopes from Palace insiders that there will be no more hurdles to overcome this week, Prince Harry and seven others are suing the publisher of the Daily Mail over alleged unlawful information gathering. Associated Newspapers Limited has denied all the allegations.
In his witness statement, Prince Harry claimed the institution of the monarchy was "withholding information" from him about the phone hacking scandal.
Buckingham Palace will not comment on an ongoing legal case. The Duke of Sussex was in court for the first two days of the four-day preliminary hearing but has not attended court this morning.
Palace insiders will be hoping The King and Queen Consort are the only royals on public display today.