Britain’s King Charles hails ‘special bond’ with Germany in speech to parliament

King Charles III has called for the UK and Germany to “renew our friendship” during an address to the parliament in Berlin on the first state visit of his reign.

The UK’s monarch spoke partly in German under the glass dome designed by British architect Norman Foster.

King Charles praised British and German efforts to tackle climate change and the countries’ support for Ukraine as he became the first monarch to address the German parliament, having appeared there as Prince of Wales in 2020.

“It gives me particular pride to be with you once again, now as king, and to renew the special bond of friendship between our two countries,” the king said.

“We are still admiring of each other’s culture, dependent upon each other’s economies and inspired by each other’s ideas.”

The state visit marks the first time in the king’s reign that Britain has used the full diplomatic power of the monarchy, aiming to mend fences after the acrimony of Brexit. Plans for a visit to France were cancelled because of mass protests against President Emmanuel Macron’s pension reforms.

In Berlin, MPs gave a standing ovation after a speech in which the king said his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, had a “special place in the hearts” of the German people.

He said UK-German relations “meant so much” to the queen, whose visit to West Germany in 1965 was a “pivotal moment” in reconciliation efforts after the war.

The king showed a sense of humour as he referred to friendly Anglo-German rivalry and praised British comedy acts that have won a following in Germany.

“For the past 50 years we have laughed together, both with each other and at each other,” he said. The king alternated between English and German in a speech that MPs said was a symbol of friendship.

King Charles gave a “likeable, clever and modern description” of the UK-German friendship, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner said.

Although mostly applauded, the speech raised eyebrows among some left-wing MPs who objected to an unelected monarch taking the lectern.

The state visit also included a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Amid high security, King Charles spoke to traders at a food market during a trip with Berlin Mayor Franziska Giffey.

After his speech to parliament, King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla visited a disused airport in Berlin that has served as a reception centre for Ukrainian refugees.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the king’s visit was a “tremendous personal gesture”.

He praised King Charles for championing nutrition, sustainability and climate action “very early on”.

The UK has used the full diplomatic power of the monarchy, aiming to mend fences after the acrimony of Brexit