Britain’s King Charles III will begin his first state visit when he travels to Germany on Wednesday, having postponed a trip to France due to widespread political protests.
During his three-day trip, Charles will first visit Berlin, then Brandenburg, and finally end in Hamburg.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has called Charles’ choice to visit close neighbors first “an significant European gesture” to repair relationships damaged by the Brexit process.
“This visit early on underlines the close and heartfelt friendship between our countries and our citizens,” he added.
Steinmeier and German First Lady Elke Buedenbender will receive Charles and Queen Consort Camilla with military honours at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate, marking the first time the famous structure has served as a backdrop for a state visit.
Following that, the couples will travel to Steinmeier’s Bellevue Palace in the city center, where he will host a state banquet for the royals.
On Thursday, the king will deliver an address to the German federal parliament and meet with refugees who have lately arrived from Ukraine.
“It’s not a surprise that having become king he hasn’t ditched his longstanding interest in environmental issues,” said Bob Ward, from the London School of Economics.
“This is an issue that transcends politics and it can’t possibly be right that as our head of state he shouldn’t speak out on such a major issue,” added Ward.