King shares jokes and warm words with German president at state banquet

There were jokes about beer, football and of course that famous German sense of humour – or lack of.

At the heart of the state visit, though, was an unexpectedly heartfelt message.

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier thanked the Royal family for turning “enemies” into friends and performing the “amazing feat” of making guests from a country with which Britain was at war within living memory feel “at home” in Windsor.

The King, for his part, spoke of turning the “darkest times” into “honest friendship”, and the “decency – quietly practised” between nations today.

There was a moving toast, the twinkling of diamonds under Christmas tree lights and a cocktail based on a Black Forest gateau.

But first, there were jokes.

“Even the things that we argue about actually connect us, if we’re honest,” said Mr Steinmeier.

“Who plays football more gracefully? Who brews the better beer? The English lawn – is it better in the front garden or the garden plot?

“Do you prefer the British or German sense of humour? Though some would probably ask at this point: what German sense of humour?

“When it comes down to it,” he added, “we are much more alike than some would think.”

He praised the postwar British Forces Broadcasting Service he listened to as a boy, saying the “global mindedness” of Britain “was quite different from the navel-gazing engaged in by Germans”.

The King was equally self-deprecating on behalf of Britain.

“Football is, of course, another shared endeavour,” he said.

“Of course, I use the word ‘shared’ in the broadest meaning of the word: there was, one has to admit, some element of truth in the famous description of football as a game where 11 people play 11 people, and then, in the end, the Germans win.”

He shared the German affection for a compound noun, he added, with its “very large number of very long words”.

“As someone who has spent some time trying to learn a little Welsh, I have some sympathy for the proposition that needless gaps between words are a dreadfully inefficient use of paper.”

In a moving moment, Mr Steinmeier told guests: “Our history binds us together, both the good and bad chapters. This year we look back on 80 years of peace between our two countries.

“What a gift! Flourishing cities grew out of the ashes. Enemies become friends.”

Turning to the King, he added: “Your Majesty, it is not least you and your family we have to thank for this work of reconciliation.

“The Windsors have consistently forged new ties and thereby promoted German-British relations. Just as you still do today.”

The speeches also touched on shared priorities of the environment and defence.

“The United Kingdom and Germany stand together with Ukraine and bolster Europe against the threat of further Russian aggression,” said the King.

The state banquet, in a festive St George’s Hall, Windsor Castle, was the crowning glory of the first day of the first German state visit in 27 years.

The King delivered part of his speech in proficient German while the president gave his mainly in English with some German.

The King opened his speech in German, referring to “Schloss Windsor” and the “besondere Freundschaft” (special friendship) between nations.

The Princess of Wales, placed on the other side of Mr Steinmeier, wore Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet Tiara, made of diamonds and rubies, which was designed by the German-born Prince Albert.

Her purple-blue, floor-length sequin gown was by Jenny Packham, and she wore the late Queen’s earrings, the Royal Family Order and the GCVO Sash and Star.

Queen Camilla, sitting opposite, wore a green lace evening gown by Fiona Clare and the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara which was a favourite of the late Queen.

Guests included Hans Zimmer, the composer, illustrator Axel Scheffler, Motsi Mabuse, who appears on the German version of Strictly Come Dancing, and model Claudia Schiffer, under her married name of Lady Vaughn.

Prince William has met the model several times and previously told an anecdote about his embarrassment when his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, organised a trio of models, including Schiffer, to meet him after school.

“I was probably a 12 or 13-year-old boy who had posters of them on his wall and I went bright red and didn’t quite know what to say, and sort of fumbled and pretty much fell down the stairs on the way out,” he told a documentary in 2017.

At the state banquet, Lady Vaughn was placed next to Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister.

As is customary, the event was filled with small details recognising the German guests.

A 1995 Château La Fleur-Petrus wine was chosen for its vintage, the year the president and his wife, Elke Büdenbender, were married.

The music included songs from Gladiator and Pirates of the Caribbean, composed by German-born Hans Zimmer.

A 25ft Christmas tree topped with a Garter Star had been erected at the end of the hall, with 15,000 lights. Flower arrangements were themed in red, with poinsettias in pots at the centre of the long table.

It is the third state visit of this year: a royal hosting feat that has not happened since 1988 when the late Queen Elizabeth II welcomed Norway, Turkey and Senegal.

Following the US state visit, which was held within the confines of the Windsor estate for security reasons, this was a return to a public welcome and carriage rides through the streets.

First, the Prince and Princess of Wales travelled to Heathrow to meet the president and his wife on the tarmac.

Then came the official welcome from the King and Queen, on a dais on Datchet Road in Windsor.

The greetings were warm, if not quite the flamboyant kisses and arm patting of Emmanuel Macron, the French president, in July.

Mr Steinmeier told the King: “It’s so wonderful, your Majesty, to see you again.”

The Princess of Wales curtsied to the King and Queen, with Camilla breaking off conversation to say hello to Prince William and the Princess and kiss them on the cheek.

As the carriages were prepared, the party paired up to make conversation and point out moments or items of interest around them in Windsor: the King and president; the Queen and first lady; and the Prince and Princess of Wales.

The streets of Windsor were lined with tourists and well-wishers, filming the passing carriages on their phones under German and UK flags hanging from lamp posts.

The full ceremonial welcome was held in the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle, where Mr Steinmeier inspected the guards.

The day seemed to make a striking first impression on the visiting German media.

“Wow, Kate!” proclaimed German tabloid Bild in its royal coverage, describing a photograph of the Princess and Prince of Wales riding in a carriage as “simply heartwarming”.

It was clear, the newspaper said, that the British Royal family was “pulling out all the stops” to make the German president and his wife feel welcome.

Mr Steinmeier gave the King a treasure trove of gifts including a nutcracker, six Christmas tree ornaments, an umbrella and a special cheese from a village in Brodowin, Brandenburg, which the King visited in 2023.

In return, the King gave the president a walking stick handmade on the Isle of Mull in Scotland, a slipware plate and a first edition of Virginia Woolf’s Flush.

The wider Royal family – the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and Duke and Duchess of Gloucester – joined the King, Queen and their guests for a lunch of fish.

In the Green Drawing Room of the castle afterwards, they were said to be in good spirits as they were shown items in the Royal Collection, from the diaries of Queen Victoria to Holbein drawings.

Marvelling at the manuscripts on display, the Princess remarked: “It’s so beautiful.”

Prince William added: “Amazing.”

By the time the president had made his way to Downing Street to meet Sir Keir mid-afternoon, he was ready to declare that the UK-German relationship was in “far better shape” than in the “difficult” post-Brexit period.

On Thursday morning, the King, Queen, president and first lady will attend an engagement about community volunteering at Windsor Castle before saying an official farewell.

On Friday, the German president and first lady will join the Duke of Kent to lay a wreath at the ruins of the old Coventry Cathedral, which was bombed by the Germans during the Second World War.

[Source: Daily Telegraph]