Berlin
CNN
—
King Charles III on Thursday became the first British monarch to address the Bundestag, the German parliament, paying tribute to the deep historical bonds and longstanding ties between the two nations.
The British sovereign is in Germany on the inaugural state visit of his reign with the Queen Consort until Friday.
Alternating between German and English, Charles said it was a “great honor” to address the Bundestag on Thursday, adding he was proud to be in Berlin to “renew the special bond of friendship between our two countries.”
He said the friendship between the two nations “meant so much to my beloved mother,” who spoke often of her visits to the country.
Charles discussed the war in Ukraine, and praised the countries’ support of Kyiv.
“Countless lives have been destroyed; freedom and human dignity have been trampled in the most brutal way. The security of Europe has been threatened, together with our democratic values,” he told the crowded chamber. “Even as we abhor the appalling scenes of destruction, we can take heart from our unity – in defense of Ukraine, of peace and freedom.”
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King Charles III of Great Britain speaks in the Bundestag on the second day of his trip to Germany.
The monarch’s speech also touched on cultural connections, technology and even soccer – referencing England women’s football team’s 2-1 win against Germany at Euro 2022.
“In the long and remarkable story of our two countries, there are many chapters yet unwritten. Let us fill these with the restless pursuit of a better tomorrow. The legacy of our past, and the great promise of our future, demand nothing less,” he concluded, before receiving a standing ovation which lasted nearly two minutes.
Earlier on Thursday morning, King Charles met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Following his address at the Reichstag, the King and Queen Consort split for their remaining engagements of the day. Charles visited a refugee center supporting Ukrainians displaced by the war, located at Berlin’s former Tegel Airport. He told some of those who recently arrived in Germany, “I’m praying for you.”
Meanwhile, Camilla visited a community center and the Komische Oper, which is one of three opera houses in Berlin.
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King Charles III is welcomed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Chancellery on Thursday in Berlin, Germany.
It was a grand entrance for King Charles and Camilla when they arrived in Germany on Wednesday afternoon with a 21-gun salute and a flypast.
It was a day of many firsts. Even before landing, the royal couple’s plane was escorted by two Typhoon fighter jets as it entered German airspace in an unprecedented sign of respect.
After touching down, King Charles became the first head of state to be greeted with a full ceremonial welcome at Berlin’s famous Brandenburg Gate – a symbol of the country’s division during the Cold War and subsequent reunification.
Despite the overcast spring weather, hundreds of well-wishers turned out in the historic Pariser Platz, waving German and British flags. They were rewarded with a walkabout after King Charles and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier inspected a guard of honor in the shadow of the monument.
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Britain's King Charles III and his wife Camilla, the Queen Consort, attend a reception in Hamburg, Germany, on Friday, March 31. Hamburg was the last stop on their visit to Germany.
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The King and Queen Consort make a toast at their final reception in Hamburg.
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German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, left, and the King speak with Hamburg Mayor Peter Tschentscher as they tour Hamburg's harbor on Friday.
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The Queen Consort talks to children during a visit to the Rudolf Ross Grundschule School in Hamburg.
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The King greets people Friday outside Hamburg's City Hall.
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The King waves from a balcony at Hamburg's City Hall.
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Crowds gather outside Hamburg's City Hall ahead of the King's visit.
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The King and Steinmeier lay wreaths at a Hamburg church memorial dedicated to the victims of allied bombings during World War II.
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The King visits the St. Nikolai Memorial Church in Hamburg.
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The King and Queen Consort board a train headed from Berlin to Hamburg on Friday.
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The King and Steinmeier try cheese-making during a visit to Brodowin, Germany, on Thursday.
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People in Brodowin await the arrival of the King on Thursday.
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The King greets soldiers during his visit to the Joint Military Unit at Finowfurt, Germany, on Thursday.
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The Queen Consort visits Refugio Berlin and speaks with Diana Strassheim and baby Kuno on Thursday.
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The King is joined by Berlin Mayor Franziska Giffey as he visits a refugee center supporting displaced Ukrainians.
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The King, front center, receives applause after delivering a speech at the Bundestag, Germany's parliament, on Thursday. He said he was proud to be in Berlin to "renew the special bond of friendship between our two countries," and he said the friendship between the two nations "meant so much to my beloved mother," who spoke often of her visits to the country.
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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomes the King to the Chancellery on Thursday.
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The King speaks to guests at a state banquet that was held at the Bellevue Palace in Berlin on Wednesday.
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Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, and the King attend the state banquet on Wednesday.
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The King and Camilla, the Queen Consort, are flanked by Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Budenbender, at the state banquet on Wednesday.
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The King walks with Steinmeier after planting a tree at Bellevue Palace.
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The King and Steinmeier plant a manna ash tree in memory of the King's late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
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The King attends a green-energy reception at Bellevue Palace.
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The King and Camilla, the Queen Consort, sign a guest book Wednesday at the palace.
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The King and Steinmeier inspect a guard of honor during a ceremonial welcome at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate.
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The King shakes hands with well-wishers at Brandenburg Gate.
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The King and the Queen Consort are joined by Steinmeier and Budenbender at Wednesday's welcoming ceremony.
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The King shakes hands after arriving at Berlin Brandenburg Airport.
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Charles and Camilla arrive in Germany on Wednesday.
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A German jet escorts the plane of Charles and Camilla on their way to Germany.
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People in Berlin wait to greet the King and Queen Consort.
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A man fastens a red carpet in front of the Brandenburg Gate.
The three-day trip is Charles’s 29th official visit to Germany, though he has traveled to the country on more than 40 occasions. The British government will be hoping the trip helps reinforce relations with European allies following its departure from the European Union.
President Steinmeier referenced Brexit during a speech at a lavish state banquet hosted in King Charles and Camilla’s honor on Wednesday night.
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SCHOENEFELD, GERMANY - MARCH 29: King Charles III and Camilla - Queen Consort arrive at BER Berlin Brandenburg Airport to start their first state visit to Germany on March 29, 2023 in Schoenefeld, Germany. The King and The Queen Consort's first state visit to Germany is taking place in Berlin, Brandenburg and Hamburg from Wednesday, March 29th, to Friday, March 31st, 2023. The King and Queen Consort's state visit to France, which was scheduled for March 26th - 29th, has been postponed due to ongoing mass strikes and protests. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
King Charles III arrives in Germany for first overseas visit as monarch
“Back then many feared that Brexit could make the Germans and the British drift apart. However, this did not happen. Too strong are the ties between our countries, too close the friendships between our people, too precious the reconciliation efforts after two World Wars,” Steinmeier said.
He called Charles’ decision to visit Germany on his first foreign trip as King a “highly symbolic visit” and a “tremendous personal gesture.”
In his own toast, delivered in a mix of German and English, King Charles vowed to “do all I can to strengthen the connections between us.”
On Friday, the King and Queen Consort will travel to Hamburg, where they will visit St. Nikolai Memorial, a church that was heavily damaged by Allied bombing during World War II. While there, the King and German president will lay wreaths as part of a short remembrance ceremony.