State visit by Frank-Walter Steinmeier to the United Kingdom

State visit by Frank-Walter Steinmeier to the United Kingdom

Date	3 to 5 December 2025
Location	Windsor; London; Coventry
Type	State visit
Participants	President Frank-Walter Steinmeier Elke Büdenbender King Charles III Queen Camilla

The 2025 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 wife Elke Budenbender were welcomed by King Charles III and Queen Camilla on 3 December at Windsor Castle on the first day of a three-day visit.

During the visit, President Steinmeier met Prime Minister Keir Starmer and business leaders, addressed the UK parliament and also visited the ruins of Coventry Cathedral to commemorate the Coventry Blitz.

Background

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 the Kensington Treaty, which agreed to create a direct rail link between London and Berlin, as part of measures bringing the countries closer together. ^[4]

Programme

3 December

The President and First Lady landed at Heathrow Airport and were escorted to the Royal Dais in Windsor by the Prince and Princess 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-gun royal salute to mark the visit was fired simultaneously from Windsor Home Park by The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery and from the Tower of London by the Honourable Artillery Company. ^[6] After the lunch, the president and first lady viewed a special display of German related items from the Royal Collection. ^[7]

In the afternoon, President Steinmeier visited Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at 10 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]

4 December

The second day began with a private wreath-laying ceremony at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II in St 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 of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey and delivered an address to the Parliament of the United Kingdom at the Palace of Westminster. ^[11] Steinmeier and Secretary of State for Culture Lisa Nandy toured the V&A East at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, where they viewed the archival David Bowie Collection. President Steinmeier was also joined by international football stars Georgia Stanway and Kai 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 by The Princess Royal, went to the Guildhall for a dinner hosted by the Lady Mayor of London, Dame Susan Langley. ^{[13] [14]}

5 December

The President and Elke Büdenbender travelled to Coventry Cathedral, a site heavily bombed by the German Army during the Second 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 to the University of Oxford, the President was briefed about research projects and collaborative partnerships with German universities. ^[16]

See also

• List of international presidential trips made by Frank-Walter Steinmeier

References

1. "Royals welcome German president for first state visit in 27 years". The Independent. 3 December 2025. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
2. Foster, Lauren Said-Moorhouse,Max (31 March 2023). "King Charles wraps up triumphant state visit to Germany". CNN. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
3. "Was the King's first state visit a success?". BBC News. 31 March 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
4. Coughlan, Sean (13 October 2025). "First German state visit to UK for 27 years announced". BBC News. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
5. "Germany's president gets a royal welcome at start of the first UK state visit in 27 years". AP News. 3 December 2025. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
6. "German President welcomed to Windsor with military pageantry | The British army". www.army.mod.uk. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
7. "State Visit by The President of The Federal Republic of Germany and Ms. Büdenbender". www.royal.uk. 3 December 2025. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
8. "PM meeting with President Steinmeier of Germany: 3 December 2025". 10 Downing Street. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
9. Davies, Caroline (4 December 2025). "King Charles decries 'Russian aggression' in pledge on defending Europe". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 10 December 2025.
10. "State visit to the United Kingdom". 3 December 2025. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
11. "'Don't look back in anger', says German president of UK ties post-Brexit". BBC News. 4 December 2025. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
12. "German State Visit marked with new initiatives on culture, sport and young people". GOV.UK. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
13. ""The City of London is full of fascinating contrasts"". Bundespräsidialamt. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
14. "German president urges European 'self-confidence' on UK state visit". France 24. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
15. "German president lays wreath at Coventry Cathedral ruins". BBC News. 5 December 2025. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
16. "German President visits Oxford as part of UK state visit | University of Oxford". www.ox.ac.uk. 5 December 2025. Retrieved 10 December 2025.