The King, the Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales have given a warm welcome to the President of Germany at the start of his historic state visit.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Budenbender were met by the King and Queen in the chilly open air, outside Windsor and Eton Riverside train station, with the famous castle as the backdrop.
Charles opened his arms wide as Mr Steinmeier approached and loudly told the King: “It’s so wonderful, your majesty, to see you again” before giving a hearty chuckle as he placed his hand on top of the King’s as they shook hands.
In the bright, cold December sunshine, the royal party and their guests took part in a colourful carriage ride through the streets of the Berkshire town, led by a Sovereign’s Escort from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
Charles is hosting Mr Steinmeier on the first state visit to the UK by a German leader in 27 years.
Kate was wearing a blue coat by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, with a matching hat, her hair down and straight, and earrings which belonged to William’s late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, and a Prince of Wales Feathers brooch.
She smiled and did a double curtsey, one for the King and then, in case Camilla had not seen her, another for the Queen.
The King opted for a classic dark overcoat and the Queen was dressed in a sapphire blue silk dress, with a sapphire blue cashmere top stitch coat by Anna Valentine and a matching feathered hat by Philip Treacy.
Camilla, wearing black boots and gloves, was also wearing a sapphire and diamond brooch which once belonged to Queen Victoria – who was married to the German-born Prince Albert
The prince and princess earlier performed their customary duty of meeting the couple at Heathrow Airport, and escorting them by car to a dais on their eight-mile journey to Datchet Road in Windsor’s town centre.
A 41-gun royal salute was fired from the East Lawn within Windsor Home Park, timed with military precision to coincide with the King and Camilla greeting their guests at midday, before they introduced them to local dignitaries and joined them for the playing of the German national anthem.
The King and the president travelled in the enclosed Irish State Coach, which sheltered them from the elements, compared with the open-top carriage used for French President Emmanuel Macron in the summer, on their way through the town to the castle for the full-scale ceremonial welcome in the quadrangle.
Camilla and Ms Budenbender followed in the Australian State Coach, with William and Kate in the Scottish State Coach with German state secretary Dorte Dinger, and MEP for Germany David McAllister, who is vice president of the European People’s Party.
The streets were guarded by ceremonial troops from the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the British Army, and the Royal Air Force, and lined with German and Union flags.
More than 850 Tri-Service personnel and 150 horses are supporting the ceremonial aspects of the state visit over three days.
The cavalrymen accompanying the procession wore plumed helmets as they rode immaculately groomed Irish chargers.
Those from the Blues and Royals wore blue cloaks and red plumed silver “Albert pattern” helmets, which were designed by Prince Albert.
A celebratory oversized Royal Standard flag was flying from the top of the castle’s Round Tower.
Mr Steinmeier and Ms Budenbender will be treated to a lavish state banquet in St George’s Hall this evening, which has been decorated for Christmas with a six-metre Christmas tree, grown in Windsor Great Park and featuring 3,000 sparkling lights.
As Christmas comes to Windsor Castle, the Duchess of Sussex’s With Love, Meghan holiday special has premiered on Netflix. The former actress shared festive tips and urged people to make “every day” of December special.
She said she puts a love letter inside the Duke of Sussex’s homemade cracker, and Harry makes a cameo appearance as he jokingly insults Meghan’s cooking and comes face to face with a beetroot salad dish made of all the food he hates.
State visits, which capitalise on the soft power of the royal family to strengthen diplomatic ties overseas, have moved from Buckingham Palace to Windsor for the next few years while reservicing work continues at the London royal residence
