King Charles will host the German president during his three-day state visit in December.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier, along with Germany’s First Lady, Frau Elke Büdenbender, will be welcomed by His Majesty and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle from December 3 to December 5.
It will be the first state by a German president in 27 years, and the fifth since 1958.
President Steinmeier, 69, has visited Britain on several occasions – most recently to attend Their Majesties’ Coronation in May 2023.
Charles, 76, and Camilla, 78, previously met with him and the German First Lady, 63, following his ascension to the throne, when the King became the first British Monarch to address Germany’s national parliament, the Bundestag.
They also attended a glittering state banquet hosted by President Steinmeier at the sprawling Schloss Bellevue Palace in Berlin.
During the dinner, Charles praised the shared commitment of Britain and Germany to Ukraine, pledging, ‘We stand united with Ukraine in defense of freedom and sovereignty against unprovoked aggression.’
Among the distinguished guests at the lavish 18th-century former royal residence were ex-Chancellor Angela Merkel, dancer Motsi Mabuse, and Campino, the Anglo-German frontman of the hit punk band The Dead Trousers.
Charles and Camilla met with President Steinmeier and the German First Lady in 2023
They attended a glittering state banquet hosted by President Steinmeier at the sprawling Schloss Bellevue Palace in Berlin in 2023
Camilla is pictured with the German First Lady outside the palatial Schloss Bellevue in 2023
After their visit, the King and Queen released a statement expressing how the country is ‘so dear to our hearts’ and thanked the German people for their ‘heartfelt and warm reception.’
They added: ‘We hope to return again soon!’
President Steinmeier’s visit to Windsor Castle will represent the first state visit in Britain since US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were hosted in September.
Before he took the throne, Charles visited Germany more than 40 times with Camilla.
The King said previously that he has fond memories sampling Bavarian sausages at a farmers market in Munich, as well as drinking beer with Camilla at the famous watering hole, Hofbräuhaus.
‘Remarkably, I realise I have visited Germany more than forty times – a measure of the importance of this relationship, of course, but also, I fear, of just how long I have been around!
‘I also think fondly of the time my wife and I sampled Bavarian sausages at a farmers’ market in Munich, and found ourselves drinking beer and waltzing around at the Hofbräuhaus! I can understand why St Boniface, an English monk, who is famous for having preached in Germany, is also a patron saint of brewers!’
He continued: ‘Over all these years, and in so many ways, I have been struck by the warmth of the friendship between our nations and by the vitality of our partnership in countless areas.
During Charles’ last visit to Germany, President Steinmeier said Britain’s decision to leave the EU was a ‘sad day’ but stressed the state visit – which took place exactly ssix years after Brexit – was a chance to show that the move had not driven a wedge between the two countries.
The King delivered a warm and witty speech during the 2023 banquet as he praised the long-lasting relationship between Britain and Germany
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier praised his country’s longstanding bond with Britain during the reception two years ago
He said: ‘It is six years to the day since the British Government submitted its letter notifying the European Union of its intention to withdraw. Let me say in all honesty that, for me personally, this was a sad day.
‘And plenty of people in Germany felt the same. Back then many feared that Brexit could make the Germans and the British drift apart. However, this did not happen.
‘Too strong are the ties between our countries, too close the friendships between our people, too precious the reconciliation efforts after two World Wars.’
He also paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II as woman ‘whom we all profoundly admired and highly honoured’.
He added: ‘Your family is the embodiment of continuity, of stability. Particularly in these times of change and starting anew.
‘Your trip to Germany with your wife, Queen Consort Camilla, prior to your coronation is also a strong European gesture. It means a great deal to me and to us Germans.’
The Royal Family’s unique brand of ‘soft diplomacy’ has been seen as a significant weapon for the British government to build on the already strong historic ties between the two countries.
