King Charles arrives at Bundestag for day 2 of state visit to Germany

The King has taken home some German cheese and his wife Camilla chomped on dairy delicacies and honey as the royal couple were greeted by more huge crowds in Berlin today.

On day two of his historic state visit, the British monarch was greeted warmly by Chancellor Olaf Scholz as he arrived at the Federal Chancellery building. 

He and the Queen Consort Camilla then met up at the city’s Wittenbergplaztz Food Market in a short visit before the King became the first British monarch to address German politicians in the Bundestag. 

The royal couple also spoke to a range of local business owners who discussed the history of the market and the produce.

Charles shared a number of big laughs with the crowds and traders, who were keen for the couple to try their sausages, cheese, honey and fresh fruit and vegetables. 

King Charles III points and laughs as he visits a food market on Day two of his royal tour

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At lunchtime today Charles will deliver a speech to the Bundestag which will celebrate the deep historical bonds and longstanding links between Germany and the UK.

The King and Queen Consort’s state visit to Germany, the first of Charles’ reign, began on Wednesday with a ceremonial greeting at Berlin’s iconic Brandenburg Gate.

The monarch was meant to be in France earlier in the week but it was called off by President Macron due to ongoing protests over his pension reforms. 

During a speech at a state banquet staged in his honour on Wednesday evening, Charles pledged to ‘strengthen the connections’ between the UK and Germany as he paid tribute to the ‘enduring value’ of the two nations’ relationship.

Germany has welcomed more than a million Ukrainian refugees seeking sanctuary after Russia invaded their homeland and Charles will tour the Tegel Refugee Centre to meet some of the group.

Separately the Queen Consort will visit the Refugio House community centre, a meeting place for locals and new Berlin residents, including refugees.

Britain’s Camilla, Queen Consort (L), and Berlin’s governing mayor Franziska Giffey (R), greet wellwishers

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King Charles’ trip to Germany has been a massive hit.

On an impromptu walkabout, the monarch was affectionately offered a crown – a paper one – on the first official engagement of his State Visit to Germany yesterday.

He was undertaking a walkabout at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin when he came across a number of well-wishers who were wearing ‘Burger King’ crowns given away by the fast food giant.

One man took his off and tried to press it into the king’s hands, saying politely: ‘This is for you, if you want it.’

Charles smiled broadly and said: ‘I’m alright!’ He, of course, has a number of real ones at home. He also grinned and declined another crown from a woman who said: ‘I have a present for you’.

The King was also seen bending down to pick up a man’s cap before returning it back to him, with the grateful well-wisher thanking him and bowing.

Charles and Camilla – who posed for selfies with fans – were formally greeted at the Brandenburg Gate by Germany’s president Frank-Walter Steinmeier and wife Elke Budenbender before the national anthems were played. 

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomes Britain’s King Charles III at the chancellery in Berlin this morning

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In a sign of the importance placed on the visit, the couple were given the first full ceremonial and military welcome at the landmark since the Second World War. Even Queen Elizabeth II, who also visited Berlin for her last ever State Visit abroad in 2015, wasn’t afforded that honour. 

They had been due to fly in from Paris but the first part of their visit to France was cancelled at the 11th hour by President Macron amid scenes of huge civil unrest in his country. It will be re-arranged at a later date.

The King spoke for the first time this afternoon about cancelling the visit, telling a reporter it was ‘very sad’. 

In Berlin, Queen Consort sported a colourful turquoise coat and dress by Bruce Oldfield and a jaunty hat by Philip Treacy. 

And in a beautifully personal detail, she was sporting a brooch that belonged to Queen Elizabeth, given to the late monarch by Queen Mary on her confirmation in 1942.

The King’s foresight on climate change was hailed by President Steinmeier at a green energy reception held at Schloss Bellevue.

The monarch followed a translation of the President’s remarks in a booklet and smiled warmly as Mr Steinmeier repeated them in English.

He also thanked the King for making his first State Visit to Germany, saying: ‘This visit, Your Majesty’s very first trip abroad as the new King, is a tremendous personal gesture – and for that I would like to express my heartfelt thanks. I am looking forward to the coming days and to the many opportunities we will have to exchange views.’

The monarch was told that this year work will begin on an undersea power cable between the Isle of Grain in Kent and Wilhelmshaven in Germany, with the President adding: ‘This first direct energy link highlights how closely Germany and the United Kingdom are working together to make our economies climate-neutral.

‘I regard this as an encouraging example – just as Your Majesty’s visit to Germany is encouraging.’

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