The King and Queen Consort have arrived in Germany for the first State Visit of their reign.
Charles and Camilla landed on the British government’s Voyager plane at Berlin Brandenburg Airport shortly after 2pm local time, after departing from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire this morning.
In a unique gesture of honour, two German fighter jets accompanied the King and Queen Consort’s RAF Voyager aircraft as it entered German airspace. Amid brilliant blue skies, one flew on each side of the real plane for around 20 minutes.
They were scheduled to fly from Paris, but the first part of their visit to France was canceled at the last minute by President Macron amid scenes of widespread civil unrest in his country. It will be reorganized at a later date.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is rolling out the red carpet for his royal visitors, even honoring them with the first full ceremonial and military welcome at the Brandenburg Gate since World War II.
King Charles and Queen Camilla get off their plane after landing at Berlin Brandenburg Airport.
Camilla and Charles smile as they walk the red carpet after landing in Berlin.
In a unique gesture of honour, two German fighter jets accompanied the King and Queen Consort’s RAF Voyager aircraft as it entered German airspace.
Even Queen Elizabeth II, who also visited Berlin on her last state visit abroad in 2015, was not given that honor.
Charles will also become the first monarch to address the German parliament, with a speech tomorrow, before traveling to the port city of Hamburg on Friday.
The trip is being seen as a sign of the importance that both governments are giving to the post-Brexit visit and in the face of the conflict in Ukraine.
The Royal Family’s unique brand of “soft diplomacy” is seen as an important weapon for the British government to take advantage of the already strong historical ties between the two countries.
Today, the Royal Family released a statement sharing their excitement about the visit.
“Ahead of our first state visit to Germany, we look forward to meeting all those who make this country so special,” they wrote.
“It is a great joy to be able to continue the deepening of the long-standing friendship between our two nations.”
The royal couple moments before exiting the plane to be greeted by an honor guard.
Today, at the airport, the King and Queen Consort were greeted with twenty-one cannon salutes and a flyover to mark the start of their State Visit.
Charles and Camilla exchanged a few words after they descended the steps of the plane.
Amid brilliant blue skies, one flew on each side of the real plane for around 20 minutes.
The Voyager plane in British government livery, with Charles and Camilla inside, lands on the runway in Berlin.
Camilla and Charles are seen through the window of their official car while leaving the airport.
The king gets into his car to drive to the center of Berlin.
The Royal Air Force plane had the German national flag and royal banner flying out of the pilot’s window.
An honor guard waits on the tarmac in Berlin for the King and Queen Consort to leave the plane.
A large group of police motorcyclists prepare to accompany the royal motorcade
A royal source said: “The fact that the program has so many unique ceremonial elements reflects the strength of the relationship and the fact that this is the first State Visit of Their Majesties’ reign.” The atmosphere in which this has been planned is extraordinarily positive.
“Their Majesties are very aware of the particular context of Ukraine at the moment, which is obviously one of the challenges we face together in Europe.”
Today, at the airport, the King and Queen Consort were greeted with twenty-one cannon salutes and a flyover to mark the start of their State Visit.
The couple stopped at the top of the plane’s steps to greet each other as two military planes flew by.
As they descended, the king and queen consort were greeted by Secretary of State Dörte Dinger; the German Chief of Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Till Knorn; and the British ambassador to Germany, Jill Gallard.
Their Majesties walked down a red carpet lined with an Honor Guard provided by the German Federal Defense Forces before being introduced by the Chief of Protocol to Miguel Berger, German Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Major General Wolfgang Gäbelein, Director of the Bundeswehr, Ms. Andrea Kundrus, State Visit Protocol Officer, and Ms. Zsófia Liptak-Jeken, State Visit Protocol Officer.
The visit has been designed to celebrate Britain’s relationship with Germany, marking their shared history, culture and values with the UK.
Members of a German honor guard march past the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin as they rehearse for the couple’s arrival.
Ewa, 39, from Berlin, holds a Union Jack flag with an image of Queen Elizabeth II.
Members of the German Armed Forces practice hoisting the Union Jack before Charles’s arrival.
A man lays out the red carpet in front of the Brandenburg Gate as the city prepares to welcome Carlos and Camila.
It will also provide an opportunity to demonstrate the many ways the UK is working in partnership with Germany on issues including climate change and the conflict in Ukraine, as well as developing opportunities in trade and investment and arts and culture.
There will be a significant number of engagements emphasizing the UK’s bilateral relationship with Germany and, no doubt to the King’s delight, highlighting the importance of sustainability and community.
Buckingham Palace said the King and Queen Consort would also “reflect on the sacrifices and challenges of our shared past, out of which has grown an enduring legacy of cooperation and reconciliation.”
This is the King’s 29th official visit to Germany. His Majesty has made three official visits, the last in 2020.
At a banquet at Bellevue Palace, the president’s official residence, Charles is expected to deliver a speech in English and German.
Charles will also meet Foreign Minister Olaf Scholz, speak with Ukrainian refugees and meet British and German military personnel who are working together on joint projects.
It is the first joint battalion between the countries in more than two centuries and was reinstated 18 months ago.
The scene by the Brandenburg Gate this morning as Berlin prepared for the royal visit
Today, Union Jack flags were flown along Berlin’s central Unter den Linden, which leads to the Brandenburg Gate, in anticipation of the monarch’s arrival.
Charles’ German cousins include Prince Rainer of Hesse (left) and Prince Ludwig of Baden (right)