Sean Coughlan
BBC News, royal correspondent

Image source, EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

The King’s speech at the state banquet, delivered partly in English and partly in German, made a strong attack on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

He told his German hosts that “we stand side by side in protecting and advancing our shared democratic values” in defending Ukraine from “unprovoked aggression”.

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

Earlier, before King Charles spoke, German President Steinmeier unveiled a photograph of King Charles as a child with his late father, the Duke of Edinburgh.

The large framed black and white print is displayed alongside the lecturn from which the president was speaking.

Image source, EBU

King Charles follows the German president in raising a toast, with attendees rising to clink glasses with the other dignitaries at the banquet.

With that, he ends his speech.

As he draws his speech to a close, King Charles switches back to German and tells President Frank-Walter Steinmeier both the UK and Germany are deeply invested in each other's futures.

The King adds: "I am utterly convinced that the connections between us will grow ever stronger as, together, we pursue a more sustainable, prosperous and secure future."

Referring to the ash tree he planted in the president's garden earlier today, the king says perhaps "in some small way," it offers "a symbol for the growth and future flourishing of our partnership".

"I hope with all my heart, that my wife and I live long enough to return to this wonderful city, to see how our tree has grown," King Charles adds, "and to continue to play our part in this cherished friendship between our two nations...".

He then raises a toast to the president, and Frau Büdenbender, "and to a friendship which is not only heartfelt, but in the truest sense of the word sustainable".

"Zum Wohl [to health]!", he says.

King Charles goes on to say the two countries are working together to promote global health, to help developing countries overcome their challenges and allow them to "prosper and advance the urgent and vital journey towards net zero".

King Charles says the relationship between the UK and Germany "matters greatly" to him and he is "more convinced than ever of its enduring value to us all".

He adds that the state visit means a lot to himself and Camilla, and he can assure the German president that as King he will do all he can to strengthen connections between the two countries.

Gesturing around the room, he says that as he looks around he sees talented and dedicated individuals who embody the breadth of the partnership between the two countries - from engineering and science, to the arts, education and more.

Image source, EBU

King Charles says that throughout the years, he has been struck "by the warmth of the friendship between our nations and by the vitality of our partnership in countless areas".

Referring to the late Queen Elizabeth, he says the bond between the UK and Germany "mattered greatly to my mother".

He says he is grateful "for the profoundly touching messages of support and affection" his family received in the wake of her death.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, your kindness meant more to my family and myself than I can possibly express," he says.

Switching to English, The King goes on to say that after each visit to Germany, he has kept "the most treasured memories" which he remembers "with great affection".

He recalls various highlights from his trips, including the friendship President Steinmeier and the first lady showed him and Camilla in 2019 and 2020.

King Charles also remembers how he and Camilla sampled Bavarian sausages at a farmers’ market in Munich, as well as "drinking beer and waltzing around" at a famous local tavern.

Alluding to his passion for environmental issues, he also mentions his visits about organic farming and says he credits German expertise for improving his own farms.

Image source, EBU

Speaking in German, King Charles begins his speech at the state banquet by thanking President Steinmeier for his "tremendously kind words" and "unforgettable hospitality".

He says he and Camilla, the Queen Consort, have been "deeply touched" by their warm welcome to Germany, adding that it's a "very special country".

The King adds it's remarkable to realise he's visited Germany more than 40 times during his life.

This is "a measure of the importance of this relationship of course, but also, I fear, of just how long I have been around", he jokes.

King Charles is about to address dignitaries gathered at a state banquet in the German presidential palace in Berlin in the next few minutes.

This will be his first speech during his first state visit since becoming monarch, so stay with us as we bring you the latest.

Image source, Getty Images

President Steinmeier begins by addressing attendees in German.

Delivering some words in English, he says the friendship between the Germany and the UK "is important and is strong".

In a speech earlier today, he said the visit of King Charles marks a new chapter in the two countries' relationship.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is beginning a speech at the Bellevue palace.

Attending tonight's state banquet are the first lady Elke Büdenbender, Charles and Camilla, as well as dignitaries from across Germany and the UK, including former Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.

Stay with us.

King Charles, Queen Consort Camilla, President Steinmeier and first lady Elke Büdenbender have gathered together in Bellevue palace.

They're meeting dignitaries attending tonight's state banquet before the King delivers a speech shortly.

Sean Coughlan
BBC News, royal correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

The King and Camilla, the Queen Consort, arrived at the state banquet at the Bellevue Palace.

In the Berlin twilight the most visible thing was Camilla’s tiara, catching the camera lights and probably tomorrow morning’s papers.

This is one of the great set-piece rituals of a state visit, a banquet with its toasts and tributes. It’s something that medieval monarchs at a feast for friendly tribes would probably have recognised.

But in the modern version there is a line up for the cameras and then inside for more smiles, speeches and smoothing of diplomatic feathers.

King Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort, are on the red carpet alongside German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife.

They have posed for photographs as the band played.

Charles is wearing a dress suit with a red sash, while Camilla is wearing a glittering tiara.

Sean Coughlan
Royal correspondent

In a line of slick black cars, guests are beginning to arrive for the state banquet for King Charles, being held in the grand surroundings of the German president’s Bellevue Palace.

There’s a military guard of honour flanking a red carpet, with a meeter and greeter with white gloves steering people up the steps, in front of a bank of TV cameras and photographers.

They’ve accompanied by a brass band playing a selection from what must be the "Most German Sounding Music Ever" compilation.

It’s a white tie and ballgowns kind of an event. Or where diplomacy meets the red carpet moment at the Oscars.

Image source, Reuters

Earlier, we brought you remarks earlier from President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who hailed a new chapter for German-UK relations.

Here's a bit more of what he said in the speech, which was at a reception about green energy, held at the presidential palace in Berlin.

He also said it was important that King Charles's state visit began by focusing on the future and "the human task of sustainability, energy transition and climate protection".

Steinmeier also honed in on the domestic challenges Germany faces when it comes to energy transition.

"For Germany this means that we have seven intensive years ahead of us in which we must reduce our emissions, modernise the economy and transport, and make our houses and flats more energy-efficient," he said.

Sustainability is known to be close to King Charles's heart and as part of his state visit to Germany he has attended a green energy reception at the presidential palace in Berlin.

Afterwards he and the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier took a walk in the palace gardens.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, SEBASTIAN REUTER/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

Image source, PA Media

Sean Coughlan
Royal correspondent

Image source, PA Media

This is the King's first state visit since becoming the monarch, but do such trips cut through in the 21st Century?

"It's a really big deal," and will make a much bigger impression than a PM's visit, says historian Sir Anthony Seldon, who argues "we consistently underestimate the significance".

For better or for worse, King Charles is an instantly recognisable, global figure; wherever he goes there will be cameras, commentary and crowds.

"The monarch is a central part of how the UK projects soft power," says former diplomat and ambassador Tom Fletcher.

On such trips "the theatre matters as much as the substance", he adds.

But Graham Smith, of the anti-monarchy group Republic, says sending a monarch gives a "misleading picture of the UK", where "we promote the idea that we're stuck in the past".

Read more from Sean here.