German-British relations
Germany is looking forward to a royal visit: Queen Elizabeth the Second and Prince Philip are to spend four days in Germany. This is the Queen’s fifth state visit to Germany. A meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel is scheduled for Wednesday.
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Her Majesty The Queen
Photo: Bundesregierung/Steins
"We are delighted that the Queen is coming to Germany," declared Chancellor Angela Merkel in her weekly video podcast. The Queen "has seen first hand how relations between Germany and the United Kingdom have developed over time. Today relations are extremely cordial, but this trend has, of course, only developed over the years since the Federal Republic of Germany was founded," said Angela Merkel.
The two countries "have a great deal in common in politics" said the Chancellor. Looking forward to the planned referendum over EU membership in the United Kingdom, she reaffirmed that she "would like to see the United Kingdom remain part of the European Union".
German-British relations are very close and very diverse. Both countries play an active role in the European Union, NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization), the United Nations, the G7, the G20 and other international bodies. Like Germany, the United Kingdom is actively engaged in international climate change mitigation efforts.German-British relations are very close and very diverse. Both countries play an active role in the European Union, NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization), the United Nations, the G7, the G20 and other international bodies. Like Germany, the United Kingdom is actively engaged in international climate change mitigation efforts.
Berlin, 23.06.15: The representatives of the press await the arrival of the Queen and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh. It is the Queen's fifth state visit to Germany.
Since her accession to the throne in February 1952 the Queen has been head of state of the 53 Commonwealth states.
Berlin, 24.06.15: The day began with Federal President Joachim Gauck welcoming his royal guests at Schloss Bellevue.
The Federal President gave the Queen a painting of herself as a young girl with her father.
Large crowds thronged the banks to watch the royal visitors travel by boat down the River Spree to the Federal Chancellery.
Chancellor Angela Merkel and Peter Altmaier, Head of the Federal Chancellery, await their royal visitors in front of the Federal Chancellery.
While the Queen enjoyed a private meeting with the Chancellor ...
... the Duke of Edinburgh spoke with Peter Altmaier, Head of the Federal Chancellery, in the Cabinet room.
Then the Queen drove to Germany's central memorial for the victims of war and dictatorship in Unter den Linden.
The Queen laid a wreath at Germany's central memorial for the victims of war and dictatorship.
Students and staff of Berlin's Technical University welcome the Queen before the "Queen’s Lecture".
The lectures on scientific, cultural or economic topics are an integral part of the cultural programme of the Techncial University.
The day ended with a state banquet in honour of the royal visitors hosted by Federal President Joachim Gauck in Schloss Bellevue.
Berlin, 25.06.15: On Thursday the Queen set off for Frankfurt am Main accompanied by Federal President Joachim Gauck.
In Frankfurt too, crowds lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the Queen.
Peter Feldmann, Lord Mayor of Frankfurt and Hesse's State Premier Volker Bouffier welcome the Queen.
At Frankfurt's Town Hall, or Römer as it is known
Invitation issued by the Federal President
Queen Elizabeth the Second of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will be visiting Germany from 23 to 26 June 2015. She will be accompanied by her husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. They are visiting at the invitation of the Federal President. Joachim Gauck and his partner Daniela Schadt visited the Queen in London in 2012.
This is the Queen’s fifth state visit to Germany, following earlier visits in 1965, 1978, 1992 and 2004. She also visited Germany in 1987 to mark the 750th anniversary of the founding of Berlin and in 2000 to attend the opening of the new British Embassy.
The Queen is one of the longest reigning monarchs in history. She has been Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland since 1952; the coronation took place in 1953. Her first Prime Minister was Sir Winston Churchill.
Berlin, Frankfurt and Bergen-Belsen
A full programme awaits the Queen and Prince Philip after they are welcomed with military honours at Schloss Bellevue by Federal President Joachim Gauck: a boat trip along the River Spree through the government district is planned as well as a meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel. The Queen will then lay a wreath at Germany’s central memorial for the victims of war and dictatorship.
In the afternoon the royal couple will visit Berlin’s Technical University where they will attend the Queen’s Lecture. This year the lecture will be given by Neil MacGregor, outgoing Director of the British Museum and future head of the Humboldt-Forum. The Queen initiated the lectures during her first visit to Germany in 1965.
As well as Berlin, the Queen will be visiting Frankfurt am Main and the Bergen-Belsen memorial site. The concentration camp on this site was liberated by British troops shortly before the end of the Second World War.