UK’s King Charles to host first state visit by a German president in 27 years

Frank-Walter Steinmeier will land in England on Wednesday. The last German state visit was in 1998 when Queen Elizabeth hosted Roman Herzog

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Published: 1:51am, 2 Dec 2025Updated: 3:37am, 2 Dec 2025

Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla will this week host the German president for a state visit, with the format reverting to normal after royal elements of US President Donald Trump’s stay were restricted to the Windsor estate.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife, former judge Elke Budenbender, will be formally welcomed by Charles and Camilla on an open-air royal dais in the centre of the Berkshire town, before enjoying a carriage ride through the streets, past the crowds, to the castle.

US President Trump was greeted away from the public at the remote Victoria House in Windsor parkland in September, followed by a carriage procession through the private estate, amid heightened security.

Prince William and Princess Kate will play a key role by greeting Steinmeier and Budenbender at Heathrow Airport and accompanying them to Windsor on Wednesday morning at the start of their three-day stay.

Steinmeier will go on to receive a ceremonial welcome in the castle quadrangle, attended by the king, Camilla, William and Kate, and be honoured with a grand state banquet in the historic royal residence’s St George’s Hall on Wednesday evening.

On Thursday morning he will privately lay flowers at the tomb of the late Queen Elizabeth in the castle’s St George’s Chapel before joining the king and queen for a Big Help Out reception to showcase the impact volunteering can have on communities.

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