In Pictures: King Charles's state visit to Germany

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King Charles has been in Germany this week, on his first state visit since becoming monarch.

King Charles and Camilla arrive in GermanyImage source, Getty Images

The three-day trip began on Wednesday, with the King and Camilla, the Queen Consort, arriving at Berlin Brandenburg Airport, in Schönefeld.

King Charles and Camilla in GermanyImage source, Reuters

The royal limousine and King's convoy, along with a police escort, made their way towards the Brandenburg Gate for a ceremonial welcome.

There, the King and Queen Consort met German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and first lady Elke Büdenbender.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, his wife Elke Buedenbender and Britain's King Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort attend a welcome ceremony with military honours at Pariser Platz square in front of Brandenburg Gate in BerlinImage source, Reuters

Onlookers waved flags as the King and the president returned their waves. Meanwhile, the union flag was raised to the sound of God Save The King.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier with his wife Elke Buedenbender (2L) welcome Britain's King Charles III and Camilla, The Queen Consort (L) in Berlin, Germany, 29 March 2023Image source, EPA

The president then welcomed the royal couple to Bellevue Palace, where they signed the official guest book.

King Charles III and Camilla Queen Consort sign the Golden Book as they visit Schloss Bellevue and attend meeting with Federal President Steinmeier, BerlinImage source, Reuters

After a green-energy reception, the King and the president planted a tree in the garden.

Britain's King Charles III (R) and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier water a tree in the garden of the presidential Bellevue Palace in BerlinImage source, EPA

And that evening, they were joined at a state banquet by British and German dignitaries, including UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly accompanied by his wife, Susannah.

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and his wife Susannah attend Bellevue Palace for a state banquetImage source, Reuters

Motsi Mabuse, a judge on BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing programme, and her husband, Evgenij Voznyuk, also attended.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Britain's King Charles III, Camilla, Queen Consort and First Lady Elke Buedenbender greet Evgenij Voznyuk and Motsi Mabuse during a state banquet defilee at Schloss Bellevue presidential palace in BerlinImage source, EPA

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel also met the King.

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Britain's King Charles III attend a state banquet at Schloss Bellevue presidential palace in BerlinImage source, EPA

The King and the president gave speeches.

Britain's King Charles III gives a speech during the state banquet at Schloss Bellevue presidential palace in Berlin, GermanyImage source, EPA

Speaking in German, the King said he and the Queen Consort had been "deeply touched" by the warm welcome and praised the "very special" German nation.

Both nations would stand united with Ukraine, he said.

At the end of their speeches, the King and the president proposed toasts, with the president unveiling a photograph of the King as a child with his late father, Prince Philip.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier gives a speech at a state banquet at Schloss Bellevue presidential palace on March 29, 2023 in BerlinImage source, Getty Images

On the next day, the King was welcomed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the German Chancellery, before visiting a farmers' market in Wittenbergplatz with outgoing Berlin Mayor and state premier Franziska Giffey.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomes Britain's King Charles at the Chancellery in BerlinImage source, Reuters
Berlin's Mayor Franziska Giffey, King Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort, visit a farmer's market on Wittenbergplatz, a public square in BerlinImage source, Reuters
King Charles III and the Queen Consort during a visit to the Wittenbergplatz market, in Berlin, as part of their state visit to GermanyImage source, PA Media

The King went on to visit the the lower house of the German parliament, where he and the Queen Consort signed the guestbook with Bundestag President Baerbel Bas.

Britain's King Charles, accompanied by Camilla, the Queen Consort, signs a guest book at the BundestagImage source, Reuters

Speaking mostly in German, the King told the members of the Bundestag it was a "particular honour" to be in Germany and he wanted to "renew the pledge of friendship between our nations".

He also thanked the German people for their "extraordinary kindness" following Queen Elizabeth II's death, last year.

Britain's King Charles III speaks to the members of the Bundestag during his visit to BerlinImage source, EPA

The King spoke of the war in Ukraine, saying the UK and Germany stood "in defence of freedom and sovereignty", and closed by saying: "In the long and remarkable story of our two countries, there are many chapters yet unwritten. Let us fill these with the restless pursuit of a better tomorrow."

He received a standing ovation.

King Charles III and the Queen Consort during a visit to the Bundestag, the German federal parliament, BerlinImage source, PA Media

Following the event, King Charles and President Steinmeier met with representatives from the German and British Amphibious Engineer Battalion unit at Finowfurt, Schorfheide.

King Charles III (2nd from right) and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (3rd from right) during a visit to meet representatives from the German and British Amphibious Engineer Battalion unit at Finowfurt, Schorfheide, north of BerlinImage source, PA Media

Meanwhile, Camilla, Queen Consort, and First Lady Budenbender visited the Komische Opera.

The Queen Consort and First Lady Elke Budenbender (green jacket) pose for a photo with a group of school children following their perfomance at the Komische Opera Berlin, during day two the King and Queen's State Visit to GermanyImage source, PA Media

Later in the day, the King tried his hand at cheese-making during a visit to an organic farm in Brandenburg.

Brandenburg, Germany. King Charles III has a go at cheese making during a visit to an organic farm in Brandenburg, Germany,Image source, Reuters

On Friday, the final day of the state visit, the King and Queen Consort travelled to Hamburg.

He laid a wreath to remember those who died in Allied bombings of Hamburg in World War Two, in the ruins of St Nikolai church - now preserved as a memorial to the wartime air raids.

Alongside him were Hamburg's Mayor Peter Tschentscher (left) and President Steinmeier.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (R), Britain's King Charles III (C), and Hamburg's Mayor Peter Tschentscher (L) pay their respects during a wreath-laying ceremony during their visit to the St Nikolai Memorial Church in Hamburg, northern Germany on March 31, 2023.Image source, Reuters

Many people gathered outside Hamburg City Hall awaiting the royal couple's next visit, where Mayor Tschentscher showed the King and Queen Consort the Golden Book in the Emperor's Hall.

HAMBURG, GERMANY - MARCH 31: A view of crowds outside Hamburg City Hall ahead of King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort's visit on March 31, 2023 in Hamburg, Germany. The King and The Queen Consort's first state visit to Germany will take place in Berlin, Brandenburg and Hamburg from Sunday 29th March to Friday 31st March 202Image source, Reuters
The First Mayor of Hamburg Dr. Peter Tschentscher show King Charles III and the Queen Consort the Golden Book in the Emperor's Hall during a visit to Hamburg City Hall (Rathaus), the seat of the Hamburg government, on the final day of their State Visit to GermanyImage source, PA Media

The Queen Consort also visited the Rudolf Ross Elementary School in Hamburg's Neustadt district, before the pair shared a toast at their final reception at Schuppen 52.

Camilla, Britain's Queen Consort talks to a kid during her visit at a school in Hamburg, Germany, 31 March 2023.Image source, EPA
King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort toast to their final reception at Schuppen 52 on March 31, 2023 in Hamburg, Germany.Image source, Getty Images

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