King’s tour of Europe to thaw relations with leaders after Brexit
THE King and the Queen Consort were asked to visit Europe on their first state tour as part of the Government’s “wider strategy” to foster closer ties postbrexit.
Buckingham Palace confirmed yesterday that the couple will visit France and Germany next month to celebrate the UK’S relationship with both countries and “our shared histories, culture and values”. Royal sources stressed that all tours were undertaken at the request of the Government and that the forthcoming visit followed early invitations from presidents Emmanuel Macron and Frank-walter Steinmeier.
A Foreign Office official said it made “absolute sense” for the King to visit the UK’S closest neighbours based on the need for strong relationships.
The six-day tour will take in Paris, Bordeaux, Berlin and Hamburg.
The couple will become the first British royals to visit a memorial to Allied bombing in Hamburg and the first heads of state to receive a ceremonial welcome with military honours at the Brandenburg Gate.
It had been widely expected that the monarch would make his first state visit to a Commonwealth realm to shore up support as many contemplate becoming republics.
However, the decision to favour Europe is understood to underline the Government’s desire to build on historical ties in the wake of Brexit. The shorter journey times were also a factor ahead of the May 6 Coronation.
The announcement comes amid claims that the King was used as a political pawn after meeting Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, last week when the Government agreed a new Brexit deal for Northern Ireland in Windsor.
A royal source said of the forthcoming tour: “The fact that the programme has so many unique ceremonial elements to it does reflect the strength of the relationship and something of the fact that this is the first state visit of their majesties’ reign.
“The atmosphere in which this has all been planned has been extraordinarily positive.
“Their Majesties are very alive to the particular context of Ukraine at the moment, which is obviously one of the challenges that we are facing together with Europe.”
The tour will focus on a variety of issues including climate change, trade and investment and arts and culture. There will be state banquets at the Palace of Versailles, in Paris, and Schloss Bellevue, in Berlin, and visits to an organic vineyard and a meeting with Ukrainian refugees.
The tour will begin on March 26 in Paris, where the King and Queen Consort will join Mr Macron and his wife, Brigitte, for a remembrance ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe before processing down the Champs-élysées to the Élysée Palace.