 | |
| Date | 3 to 5 December 2025 |
|---|---|
| Location | Windsor;London;Coventry |
| Type | State visit |
| Participants | PresidentFrank-Walter Steinmeier Elke Büdenbender King Charles III Queen Camilla |
The2025 Frank-Walter Steinmeier United Kingdom visit, from 3 to 5 December 2025, was the first state visit by a German president in 27 years.[1]Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wifeElke Budenbender were welcomed byKing Charles III andQueen Camilla on 3 December atWindsor Castle on the first day of a three-day visit.
During the visit, President Steinmeier met Prime MinisterKeir Starmer and business leaders, addressed theUK parliament and also visited the ruins ofCoventry Cathedral to commemorate theCoventry Blitz.
The King and Queen had made a successful state visit to Germany in 2023, which was the first overseas state visit of the new reign.[2][3]
The 3-day visit by the German president followed a treaty between Germany and the UK signed in the 2025 summer, known as theKensington Treaty, which agreed to create a direct rail link between London andBerlin, as part of measures bringing the countries closer together.[4]
The President and First Lady landed atHeathrow Airport and were escorted to the Royal Dais in Windsor bythe Prince andPrincess of Wales.[1] The King and Queen later formally welcomed the couple at Windsor Castle, where they rode in a horse-drawn carriage and reviewed a military guard of honour.[5] A 41-gunroyal salute to mark the visit was fired simultaneously fromWindsor Home Park byThe King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery and fromthe Tower of London bythe Honourable Artillery Company.[6] After the lunch, the president and first lady viewed a special display of German related items fromthe Royal Collection.[7]
In the afternoon, President Steinmeier visited Prime MinisterSir Keir Starmer at10 Downing Street, where they discussed economic cooperation,Russia-Ukraine war and illegal migration.[8]
The first day of the visit concluded with a state banquet at Windsor Castle with 152 guests, including politicians, business leaders and celebrities.[9]
The second day began with a private wreath-laying ceremony at the tomb ofQueen Elizabeth II inSt George’s Chapel. Jointed by The King and Queen, the presidential couple attended a reception with volunteers at Windsor Castle, centred on social engagement and community service.[10]
Later, the Federal President laid a wreath at the Grave ofthe Unknown Warrior inWestminster Abbey and delivered an address to theParliament of the United Kingdom at thePalace of Westminster.[11] Steinmeier and Secretary of State for CultureLisa Nandy toured theV&A East at theQueen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, where they viewed the archivalDavid Bowie Collection. President Steinmeier was also joined by international football starsGeorgia Stanway andKai Havertz at the Bobby Moore Academy in east London to see first-hand sport’s powers of inclusion and impact on local communities.[12]
At the end of the day, the President, accompanied byThe Princess Royal, went tothe Guildhall for a dinner hosted by theLady Mayor of London,Dame Susan Langley.[13][14]
The President and Elke Büdenbender travelled toCoventry Cathedral, a site heavily bombed by the German Army during theSecond World War. In a symbolic ceremony, a German wreath was laid by the couple at the Cathedral Ruins, which was famously destroyed during an air raid 85 years ago.[15]The Duke of Kent also lay a wreath alongside the couple.
During his subsequent visit tothe University of Oxford, the President was briefed about research projects and collaborative partnerships with German universities.[16]
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