In the full plenary hall in the Bundestag, King Charles III. gave an emotional speech. He didn't shy away from getting a little political. Unusual for a monarch.
He also touched on the war of aggression against Ukraine. "Germany's decision to provide such great military support to Ukraine is extremely courageous, important and welcome," he said. "Germany and the UK have taken an important leadership role." The war "brought unimaginable suffering to innocent people," Charles said. Human dignity and freedom had been brutally trampled on.
It means a lot to him and his wife Camilla to have been invited to Germany, the king said in German. He also mentioned that the Bundestag building was designed by a British architect, making it a symbol of Anglo-German friendship.
In English, he emphasized the importance of Germany in the life of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. "My mother was from the war generation," he said, adding that both she and his late father, Prince Philip, wore uniforms. The fact that her trip to Germany in 1965 was so important to reconcile the nations was of great importance to the Queen and her husband. The fact that his mother was so important in Germany touches him. The expressions of condolence from the country were "a great comfort in the time of mourning".
But in addition to the great emotionality, Charles also incorporated a little humor into his speech. He emphasized the friendship between the two countries, but also said: "As is usual among good friends, the warmth of our relationship sometimes allows a small smile to be smiled at at the other." The fact that the English women's national soccer team had defeated the Germans at the European Championship was all the more special because of the great rivalry.
Great Britain and Germany are also closely connected when it comes to literature and music. "In a few weeks at the coronation we will hear great works by George Frideric Handel, who was born German and died British," said Charles. However, he emphasized with a smile that younger generations would think more of the Beatles and Kraftwerk than of Brahms or Byron. The monarch also mentioned that Britons really appreciate Berlin for its nightlife. Also on "Dinner for One" came Charles III. and said with a grin that the skit "hopefully doesn't represent an accurate picture of modern Britain".
Finally came Charles III. to talk about the German and British efforts regarding climate protection - a matter close to his heart for decades. Both Germany and Great Britain are the largest producers of offshore wind in Europe today. Both sides are pushing ahead with the expansion of the hydrogen economy, "which could transform our future," said Charles.
