Image source, John MacDougall

On 27 February 1933 the Reichstag building, which was home to the German parliament, was gutted by fire.

For decades afterwards, it was seen as a relic of the Nazi's Third Reich regime until it was renovated after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Reopened in 1999, it now functions as the seat of the country's federal parliament, the Bundestag.

The British architect, Sir Norman Foster was responsible for the design, featuring a glass dome, which is open to the public.

The distinctive landmark is considered a powerful symbol of the new Berlin and German reunification.

The King and Queen Consort have just signed the guestbook at the Bundestag, the German parliament building.

German politicians have gathered at the parliament ahead of an address by the King, the first such address by a British monarch.

Sean Coughlan
Royal correspondent, reporting from Berlin

Image source, Reuters

The Bundestag has been waiting for King Charles, with flowers being put out and German parliamentarians filling the seats, with plenty of chatty anticipation and a few selfies.

It’s a very different feel to the chamber of the House of Commons. It’s modern, circular, with lots of light. It’s got the feel of a new lecture hall in an ambitious university.

No British monarch has given an address here before, so this is an historic moment.

And history is never far from the surface in Berlin. In this Reichstag building there is still the preserved graffiti of Russian soldiers from the end of the Second World War.

Image source, EBU

King Charles has arrived at the Bundestag, where he will be addressing MPs shortly. We'll bring you updates right on this page.

This morning King Charles will become the first British monarch to address the Bundestag, Germany’s federal parliament.

That's after his first event of the day, talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

He’s expected to meet Ukrainians who have taken refuge in Germany from the war that continues to rage in their country.

He will also speak with representatives of a joint UK/German military unit in Brandenburg.

Camilla, the Queen Consort, will go to the opera with the wife of the German president, to learn more about its outreach projects and community engagement.

The Royal couple will end the day at an organic farm.

Image source, PA Media

Jenny Hill
Reporting from Berlin

If you wondered what King Charles meant last night at the state banquet when he thanked the room for not leaving him to a "dinner for one" (see the clip in the post below) - and why everyone roared with laughter at the comment, it was a bit of a German in-joke.

He was referring to an old film (in English, with a British cast but filmed in Germany) which few people in the UK know but which is well loved in Germany and screened every New Year's Eve. References to it rarely fail to raise a chuckle.

• Dinner for One - the English comedy which spices up German New Year

Image source, Getty Images

Continuing our recap from yesterday, lets bring you a clip from the speech by King Charles at the a banquet at the official residence of Germany's President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Speaking partly in German, the King said “the bond between the UK and Germany mattered greatly" to his mother the late Queen, adding it was also of great importance to him.

Charles vowed to strengthen the ties between the UK and Germany as he undertook his first foreign visit as king.

Britain and Germany stood united with Ukraine in its battle against Russia's unprovoked invasion, he added.

The King said he wanted to pay particular tribute to Germany’s “extraordinary hospitality” in taking in over a million Ukrainian refugees.

President Steinmeier also unveiled a photograph of Charles as a child with his late father, the Duke of Edinburgh.

Image source, EPA

Wednesday marked the start of King Charles's three-day trip to Germany, his first state visit since becoming monarch.

The visit began with a formal meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Brandenburg Gate, the symbolic heart of Berlin.

After flags were hoisted and national anthems played, the two men greeted crowds who had lined the streets to watch the event.

The King later addressed a state banquet at the president's Bellevue Palace, saying he had always been "struck by the warmth of the friendship between our nations" and would do everything he could to "strengthen the connections between us".

He also hailed the roles the UK and Germany have played in supporting Ukraine since the Russian invasion, saying they stood together "in defence of freedom and sovereignty in the face of unprovoked aggression".

President Steinmeier described the decision to pick Germany to host the state visit as an "important gesture for German-British relations".

He said the relations had been changed by the UK's decision to leave the EU but that "we are opening a new chapter".

"No matter what lies ahead, I know that our German-British friendship will remain significant and will remain firm. Our friendship is important and it is strong," he said.

Sean Coughlan
Royal correspondent, reporting from Berlin

Image source, Reuters

The King has arrived in his Bentley at the Chancellery in Berlin to meet German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly followed them inside this modern building, which with its glass and curved stone looks a bit like a shiny 1990s corporate headquarters.

A red carpet had been brushed down, a ceremonial guard stood to attention and photographers lined up either side to record the moment.

There were no members of the public here at all within this secure area outside the Chancellery.

So the King went in through a media ravine, with no sound except for camera shutters and journalists straining to get pictures on mobile phones.

It’s a state visit in a sealed box.

Not everyone in Germany is thrilled about the King's visit.

MP Ates Gurpinar, of the far-left Linke Party, said he planned to boycott his speech to the Bundestag, saying it is "absurd to allow a king to speak at the Bundestag" after Germany abolished the monarchy over a hundred years ago.

"To bring a monarch with all honours into the heart of democracy now is highly out of touch with history," he told newspaper Augsburger Allgemine daily.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has received King Charles outside Berlin's chancellery.

The King will then visit an outdoor fruit and vegetable market in the company of outgoing Berlin mayor and state premier Franziska Giffey before making an address to the Bundestag.

Image source, Shuttershock

Before we bring you live coverage of the King's meeting with Olaf Scholz, let's take a quick look at the German chancellor's biography.

The 64-year-old became Germany’s head of government in 2021, taking over from his political opponent Angela Merkel, who was the country’s leader for an historic 16 years.

Scholz has previously served as vice-chancellor, finance minister and First Mayor of Hamburg.

Scholz is from the centre-left Social Democrats party and governs alongside the Greens and the business-friendly Free Democrats.

Like many world leaders, he has had to grapple with a raft of issues since his premiership began, including the war in Ukraine, soaring energy prices and rising inflation.

Sean Coughlan
Royal correspondent, reporting from Berlin

Image source, Getty Images

It’s day two of the state visit to Germany.

So far it will have been seen as a success, appearing across the front pages and sending out a message of Anglo-German partnership.

The King tried out his German and emphasised the importance of building up relations with Germany, even though the German president told him at last night’s state banquet that Brexit had been a “sad day”.

It’s been a trip carried out behind high security and that will continue on Thursday as he meets German political figures.

The King is meeting Chancellor Olaf Schultz and will go on to deliver a speech to the German parliament, the Bundestag.

This will be the first time a British monarch has addressed a session of the Bundestag and on the themes raised so far during the trip, it’s likely the speech will include mentions of solidarity with Ukraine and the importance of tackling climate change.

Image source, EPA

Good morning and welcome to our coverage of the King and Queen Consort's state visit to Germany.

It's the first foreign visit for King Charles as monarch.

Today, on the second day of his three-day trip, he'll have talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz before addressing the Bundestag, the country's federal parliament, in Berlin.

He will also meet some of the one million Ukrainians who’ve taken refuge in Germany.

Meanwhile Camilla, the Queen Consort, will go to the Komische Oper, to learn about the opera's community outreach programmes.

A tour of an organic farm is also on the schedule. Charles, who has visited Germany 40 times, has always taken a keen interest in the country's sustainability initiatives.

Jamie Whitehead
Live reporter

Thanks for joining us today for our coverage of the King and Queen Consort's first day of their three-day state visit to Germany.

Tomorrow, King Charles will speak to the Bundestag, the country's federal parliament, and will meet Ukrainian refugees to hear about the support they've been getting since they arrived.

Meanwhile Camilla, the Queen Consort, will go with the German first lady to the Komische Oper, to learn about the opera's community outreach programmes. Please join us as we keep you updated.

Today's coverage was bought to you by Sean Coughlan, Daniela Relph and Jenny Hill in Germany. Marita Moloney, Malu Cursino and Doug Faulkner were our writers in London, and the page was edited by Lauren Turner, Heather Sharp and me.

Tonight was full of glamour and touching speeches, as King Charles began his first state visit alongside Queen Consort Camilla. He was greeted by German President Steinmeier, the first lady and several dignitaries.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

Image source, EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

Image source, Reuters

Image source, EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

Image source, Reuters

It has been an eventful evening for King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla, who were greeted by the German president and a delegation of dignitaries during their first state visit as monarchs.

Guests made their way to the German president's Bellevue Palace, where a military guard of honour welcomed dignitaries.

Former German chancellor Angela Merkel, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Berlin's mayor Franziska Giffey were some of the dignitaries present.

King Charles and Camilla posed for photographs with President Steinmeier and first lady Elke Büdenbender on the red carpet leading towards the palace, as the military band played.

In his speech, Charles said he was deeply touched by the warm welcome he received by the German president, who unveiled a photograph of the King and his late father, the Duke of Edinburgh.

He spoke fondly of the relationship between the UK and Germany, adding that the bond between both countries "mattered greatly to my mother".

Image source, Getty Images

King Charles and German President Steinmeier have addressed a state banquet in Berlin this evening during the first day of the monarch's official visit.

Charles vowed to strengthen the ties between the UK and Germany as he undertook his first foreign visit as king.

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

The bond between the two countries "mattered greatly" to the late Queen Elizabeth, he said, reiterating that this is also of great importance to him.

"The connections between us will grow ever stronger," he said, citing the "cherished friendship" that will see both nations working together to overcome challenges, including climate change.

Britain and Germany stand united with Ukraine in its battle against Russia's unprovoked invasion, he added.

Both the King and president raised a toast at the end of their remarks, with Steinmeier also unveiling a photograph of Charles as a child with his late father, the Duke of Edinburgh.

King Charles made a bilingual speech at Bellevue Palace in Berlin this evening by delivering remarks in both German and English.

He told those gathered at the state banquet that he would "do all" to strengthen UK ties with Germany, as well as hailing the relationship between the two nations.