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King Charles hosted a lavish state banquet at Windsor Castle, honouring German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The event featured a star-studded guest list, including Claudia Schiffer and Hans Zimmer. A towering Christmas tree adorned St George's Hall, providing a festive backdrop as dignitaries dined on a mix of British and German cuisine.

 

The banquet drew 152 attendees, with political figures and celebrities mingling under the glow of festive lights. In his speech, King Charles emphasised the unity between the UK and Germany in supporting Ukraine amidst an ongoing conflict with Russia. President Steinmeier echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of standing together against aggression. He also reminisced about the cultural exchange embodied by the Christmas tree, first introduced to the UK by Queen Charlotte.

 

Cultural ties were a prominent theme, with King Charles reflecting on the historical connection between the two nations. He acknowledged the fears sparked by global change, stressing the need to uphold democracy and freedom. The evening offered lighter moments as well, with King Charles joking about football rivalries and low-emissions royal coaches.

 

Attendees enjoyed a menu featuring British-German fusion dishes, such as hot smoked trout tartlets and Windsor partridge, complemented by a cherry brandy cocktail reminiscent of Black Forest gateau. The banquet capped a day of ceremonial events, including a grand welcoming ceremony and gift exchange, showcasing soft power and diplomacy.

 

In the backdrop, President Steinmeier engaged in talks with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, affirming strengthened UK-Germany relations post-Brexit. His wife, Elke Budenbender, visited Judith Kerr Primary School, celebrating cultural connections in education. The visit also included symbolic gestures of reconciliation, like a planned visit to Coventry Cathedral by the German president.

 

The state visit was not without protest. Anti-monarchy group Republic alleged their demonstration was restricted by police, although Thames Valley Police stated they facilitated a protest, only intervening to ensure safety. The visit underscores the evolving diplomatic landscape, balancing formal pageantry with modern political dialogue, reported the BBC.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-12-04

 

 

 

Don't mention the war(s).

I think Charles might have mentioned it. 

Aside from Charles' family being descended from Germans, what else do the British share?

16 minutes ago, Purdey said:

Don't mention the war(s).

I think Charles might have mentioned it. 

Aside from Charles' family being descended from Germans, what else do the British share?

Love of beer and football ⚽️ 🍺

Nice family get together.

Gluttons at a hog trough.

 

HANS        Wer bist du?

CHAS        Ich bin ein Berliner

On 12/4/2025 at 7:03 AM, Purdey said:

Aside from Charles' family being descended from Germans, what else do the British share?

 

A love for beer and sausage perhaps?

Oh the English. War profiteers to the bone and expertly veteran plunderers, but at the same time blind enough and greedy for bloody money to overlook the rearmament of Germany -to which this time they will submit.

3 hours ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

 

HANS        Wer bist du?

CHAS        Ich bin ein Berliner

 

I am a jelly donut?

On 12/4/2025 at 11:06 AM, John Drake said:

Gluttons at a hog trough.

I doubt you have ever experienced their fair.............🧐

1 hour ago, Plan B said:

Oh the English. War profiteers to the bone and expertly veteran plunderers, but at the same time blind enough and greedy for bloody money to overlook the rearmament of Germany -to which this time they will submit.

Envy is not good for you, it will eat you up................😒

I quite enjoyed the King's speech.........🤗

A German talking to a German. Hardly of any interest.

10 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

A German talking to a German. Hardly of any interest.

The King is not German, his mother and grandmother were not German either..........🤗

16 hours ago, transam said:

The King is not German, his mother and grandmother were not German either..........🤗

Technically correct. My comment was jocular. However, for the record, they changed their surname from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor during WW1.

9 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

Technically correct. My comment was jocular. However, for the record, they changed their surname from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor during WW1.

King Charles is still not German, as you posted. In any case, we all have ancestors from all over the world's locations, I myself am related to a Norman Lord, French.........😉............🤭

Lovely lavish tea-party paid by the Brit taxpayers who seem to love it after all ? 

On 12/4/2025 at 7:03 AM, Purdey said:

Aside from Charles' family being descended from Germans, what else do the British share?

 

Beer... sausages... mustard...  l̶e̶d̶e̶r̶h̶o̶s̶e̶n̶ 

49 minutes ago, transam said:

King Charles is still not German, as you posted. In any case, we all have ancestors from all over the world's locations, I myself am related to a Norman Lord, French.........😉............🤭

As I said, my comment was jocular ie not to be taken too seriously.  In your case, coming from Norman stock, your roots are Norse from what we now call Scandinavia.

Just now, Thingamabob said:

As I said, my comment was jocular ie not to be taken too seriously.  In your case, coming from Norman stock, your roots are Norse from what we now call Scandinavia.

I know exactly where my roots come from, you don't have to tell me, my roots spoke French when taking over Britannia......🤗

40 minutes ago, Middle Aged Grouch said:

Lovely lavish tea-party paid by the Brit taxpayers who seem to love it after all ? 

Yes, it's our history, it's what we do.......

18 hours ago, John Drake said:

 

I am a jelly donut?

I am not a number. I am a free man.

21 hours ago, transam said:

Envy is not good for you, it will eat you up................😒

Truth hurts, doesn't it...

Let me educate you some more then.

 

If we exclude Nazism, I don't think there has ever been a worse presence on Earth than that of the British. They are the first teachers of Genocide (India). They invented Concentration Camps (Africa, Asia) and carved the face of the planet with bloody colonial borders.
Self-invited to most of the West's modern wars (Afghanistan, Iraq etc.), as well as with their own wars (Suez, Africa), they follow the Americans like hyenas eating from the leftovers or try to provoke them and push them towards the blood that both of them like so much.

Had enough yet?

3 hours ago, transam said:

I know exactly where my roots come from, you don't have to tell me, my roots spoke French when taking over Britannia......🤗

Relax for heaven's sake, and enjoy the rest of your day.

1 hour ago, Plan B said:

Truth hurts, doesn't it...

Let me educate you some more then.

 

If we exclude Nazism, I don't think there has ever been a worse presence on Earth than that of the British. They are the first teachers of Genocide (India). They invented Concentration Camps (Africa, Asia) and carved the face of the planet with bloody colonial borders.
Self-invited to most of the West's modern wars (Afghanistan, Iraq etc.), as well as with their own wars (Suez, Africa), they follow the Americans like hyenas eating from the leftovers or try to provoke them and push them towards the blood that both of them like so much.

Had enough yet?

I thought it was the Romans invading G.B.................🤣

 

And where are you from, Plan B..........?   😉

1 hour ago, Thingamabob said:

Relax for heaven's sake, and enjoy the rest of your day.

I already am................😉

27 minutes ago, transam said:

I already am................😉

Well done.

King Charles should really avoid fraternizing with EU countries.

 

 

2 hours ago, transam said:

I thought it was the Romans invading G.B.................🤣

 

And where are you from, Plan B..........?   😉

The Romans thing was funny man 😂 😂 

7 hours ago, Middle Aged Grouch said:

Lovely lavish tea-party paid by the Brit taxpayers who seem to love it after all ? 

Yes we do love it. We love our King, he has class and a brain. Which is a lot more than I can say for American wannabe kings like trump.......fascistic ,.gutter trash