Wills’ Brexit pledge to Germany
We will stay the firmest of friends despite EU exit, declares Prince
Britain and Germany will stay the ‘firmest of friends’ despite Brexit, Prince William vowed last night.
Speaking after he and wife Kate arrived in Berlin as part of a European tour described as a diplomatic charm offensive following last year’s vote to leave the EU, the Duke of Cambridge said the relationship between the UK and Germany ‘really matters’.
He added: ‘it is the product of many years of working closely together.
‘it will continue despite Britain’s recent decision to leave the European Union. i am confident we shall remain the firmest of friends.’
William gave his speech during a garden party at the British ambassador’s residence to mark the Queen’s birthday.
Earlier he and Kate received a rapturous reception as they arrived in Berlin to meet German Chancellor angela Merkel for what Kensington Palace aides described as ‘extended’ discussions.
However, the duchess was briefly put on the back foot as she and William were welcomed at the German chancery by Mrs Merkel.
the chancellor asked the duchess if she spoke German. a smiling Kate replied: ‘no, no. Sorry.’
Luckily, Mrs Merkel is a fluent English speaker, so the hour-long talks went ahead without the need for a translator.
Kate and William also visited Berlin’s main landmark, the historic Brandenburg Gate, yards from where the notorious Berlin Wall once stood.
German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung has described their visit to Berlin as a ‘diplomatic mission’ by ‘Her Majesty’s Secret Weapon’.
‘they know better than anyone else on the island that the image of the United Kingdom on the continent is not the best at the moment,’ it said. ‘What could you do in this situation to indicate to your neighbours that Britain is of course a stable nation? Obviously, you send in the royals.’ German news website Spiegel Online called the trip a ‘charm offensive’.