King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales have welcomed the German president at the start of his three-day state visit to Britain.
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Budenbender landed at Heathrow Airport on Wednesday morning where they were greeted by William and Kate.
They were escorted by the Prince and Princess to meet the King and Queen outside Windsor and Eton Riverside train station before they all took part in a grand carriage procession to Windsor Castle.
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.
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.
The trip is the first state visit by a German President for 27 years and comes two years after Charles went to Germany for what was his first official overseas trip after he became king in September 2023. It is the latest show of closer relations between the European allies following Brexit.
The trip will be similar to Donald Trump's state visit to Britain in September, although it will be much more public due to the huge security operation that was put in place for the US president.
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
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.
Later on Wednesday, Steinmeier will visit British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in his Downing Street office ahead of a state banquet at Windsor Castle.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Britain in July to sign a new treaty with Britain which is seeking to reset relations with the European Union after acrimony caused by Brexit. Steinmeier's trip also follows a three-day state visit by French President Emmanuel Macron in July.
On Thursday, the German president and his wife will lay flowers at the tomb of Charles' mother, the late Queen Elizabeth, and will be shown the State Sleigh, which was designed by Queen Victoria's German husband, Prince Albert.
During his visit, Steinmeier will also address British lawmakers in parliament, and meet German footballers plying their trade for Premier League clubs in Britain.
On Friday, the couple will travel to Coventry which was heavily bombed during World War Two, where the president will lay wreath in the ruins of city's old cathedral alongside the Duke of Kent, who himself attended events in February to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the bombing of Dresden in Germany by the allies.
