State Visit to the United Kingdom
The German–British friendship is genuinely close to our hearts and rightly so
December 04th, 2025
Federal President Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender have travelled to the United Kingdom on 3 December for a state visit at the invitation of His Majesty King Charles III. This is the first state visit by a German head of state for 27 years. The last state visit by a German Federal President was that of Roman Herzog in December 1998.
This state visit carries a double symbolism, the Federal President said before departing for London. Even before his formal coronation ceremony two years ago, King Charles came to Germany on a state visit. That was a clear signal — it was his first foreign visit at the time. And now, just under two years later, comes the invitation for this state visit. It shows how important German‑British relations are to both of us.
The German–British friendship is genuinely close to our hearts — and rightly so.
Federal President Steinmeier
The state visit comes at a historic moment: Germany and the United Kingdom have recently signed a friendship treaty — the Kensington Treaty. According to the Federal President, the treaty represents a step towards drawing closer together again after Brexit.
After arriving in London and being welcomed by Their Royal Highnesses Prince William and Catherine, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Federal President and Elke Büdenbender have been welcomed with military honours at Windsor Castle by King Charles and Queen Camilla. A meeting with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at Downing Street was scheduled to take place in the afternoon. The first day of the visit concluded with a State Banquet at Windsor Castle.
The second day commenced with a wreath-laying ceremony at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II in St George’s Chapel. A subsequent exchange with volunteers at Windsor Castle focused on social engagement and volunteering. Later on, the Federal President layed a wreath at the grave of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey and delivered an address to the House of Commons at the Palace of Westminster. Let us look not to the past, but rather together to the future! Let us do so with confidence, ambition and the firm conviction that together we can achieve more than we can on our own, the Federal President appealed to the members of Parliament.
On the third and final day of the visit, the Federal President and Elke Büdenbender will travel to Coventry. After a guided tour of Coventry Cathedral and a joint wreath-laying ceremony with Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, they will both attend a memorial service. This will be followed by an exchange with German and British soldiers and a visit to Siemens Healthineers. During his subsequent visit to the University of Oxford, the Federal President will be briefed about research projects and collaborative partnerships with German universities. The state visit will conclude with the Federal President being awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Oxford.
Overview of the programme
Wednesday, 3 December 2025
9.40 a.m., Berlin Brandenburg Airport, military section
Statement by the Federal President
Thereafter
Flight to London
Thereafter
Arrival at London Heathrow Airport and welcome by Prince William and Catherine, Prince and Princess of Wales
Early afternoon, Windsor
Welcome by King Charles III and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Thereafter
Joint carriage procession to Windsor Castle
Thereafter, Windsor Castle, Quadrangle
Welcome with military honours
Afternoon, Windsor Castle
Presentation of items from the Royal Collection
Thereafter, London, residence of the Prime Minister, No. 10 Downing Street
Talks with Sir Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Thereafter
Joint talks with German and British business representatives
Evening, Windsor Castle, St George’s Hall
Address at a State Banquet in honour of the Federal President and Elke Büdenbender, hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla
Thursday, 4 December 2025
Morning, Windsor Castle, St George’s Chapel
Wreath-laying ceremony at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II and tour of the Chapel
Morning, Windsor Castle
Exchange with volunteers, together with the King and Queen
Thereafter, London, Westminster Abbey
Wreath-laying ceremony at the grave of the Unknown Warrior
Early afternoon, Palace of Westminster
Speech before the House of Commons
Afternoon
Visit to the Bobby Moore Academy
Thereafter
Visit to the Victoria and Albert East Storehouse
Evening, Guildhall
Address at a dinner hosted by Alderwoman Dame Susan Langley, Lady Mayor of the City of London, and Gary Langley
Friday, 5 December 2025
Morning, Coventry, Coventry Cathedral
Joint wreath-laying ceremony with Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, as well as tour and memorial service
approx. 11.50 a.m.
Statement by the Federal President
Thereafter
Exchange with German and British soldiers
Early afternoon
Visit to Siemens Healthineers
Thereafter, Oxford, University of Oxford
Visit to the University and tour
Thereafter, Divinity School
Presentation of various research focuses and cooperative partnerships between the University of Oxford and German universities
Afternoon
Speech at the presentation of an honorary doctorate to the Federal President from the University of Oxford
