William and Catherine greet German president on first state visit in 27 years

The Prince and Princess of Wales have welcomed the German president to the United Kingdom for a state visit. On Wednesday morning, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Budenbender arrived at Heathrow Airport, and William and Catherine welcomed them. King Charles and Queen Camilla's lavish formal dinner for the president and first lady in Windsor, beginning with a carriage ride to the castle. It's the first German state visit in 27 years. Such state visits are about projecting soft power and building relationships, and the three-day tour will feature a blend of pageantry, politics, and culture.

The president's activities include a state banquet, speaking in Parliament, greeting the Prime Minister in Downing Street, and visiting German footballers who play in the Premier League. On Windsor High Street, German flags are flying and the visitors will be welcomed with a formal welcome and then enjoy a military parade on Windsor Castle's manicured lawns. The Foreign Office has arranged state visits to foster diplomatic links with important allies. And this trip will cement the Kensington Treaty, which was signed between the United Kingdom and Germany in July, which highlighted military and company cooperation and closer links between the two countries, as well as plans for a direct rail link. In addition, the UK government is hoping for more assistance from Germany in stopping illegal migration from happening. Equipment used to cross the Channel has been stored in Germany, according to the National Crime Agency.

The King and his German visitors will trade gifts, and, in the evening, speeches will be delivered at the state banquet in St George's Hall, inside Windsor Castle, featuring celebrities as well as politicians, including celebrities alongside the royals and politicians. It's likely that some of the King's remarks will be delivered in German. When he visited Germany in 2023, King Charles discussed the importance of helping Ukraine and that ongoing talks to end it. Rather than participating in a public carriage ride, US President Trump, who travelled in and out of Windsor by helicopter, raising his safety and avoiding protesters, rather than participating with a tourist carriage ride.

With Christmas coming, there are likely to be references to some Christmas traditions in Germany, including Queen Victoria's husband Albert's popularizing the Christmas tree. Despite the fact that there is no snow to try it out, the visitors will be treated to a sleigh built by German-born Prince Albert in 1845. There will be symbolic signs of peace, including a German president's visit to the remains of Coventry Cathedral, which was bombed during the Second World War. This parallels a visit to Hamburg, when King Charles laid a wreath to the civilian casualties of wartime Allied bombing raids. On a trip to Oxford University, President Steinmeier will be shown medical technology at the university and joint UK and German research projects. Ms Budenbender will visit Judith Kerr Primary School in south-east London to pay tribute to its namesake, Judith Jarr, the German-born author of the children's book The Tiger Who Came to Tea. The German president will visit German footballers who compete in the English Premier League at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The David Bowie Centre, which features pieces related to the pop star, such as stage outfits and musical equipment, will be on display at the V&A East Storehouse.

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