Brooke Davies
Published December 4, 2025 7:24am
Updated December 4, 2025 7:31am
Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook
Comment now
Comments
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Up Next
Previous Page Next PageKing Charles III has said the UK and Germany will work together to ‘bolster’ Europe against the growing threat of Russia.
The King hosted German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier for a state banquet at Windsor Castle as tensions between Europe and Russia intensified this week.
Vladimir Putin has accused European leaders of sabotaging US-led efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
The Russian dictator has rejected changes proposed by Ukraine and Europe to a draft peace plan, calling it unacceptable.
He also said Moscow was ready for war with the continent, but these comments were dismissed as ‘sabre-rattling’ by the UK Government.
Sign up for all of the latest stories
Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.
Charles told guests seated in St George’s Hall: ‘With regard to shared defence, our German-British Bridging Battalion at Minden – which I visited during our state visit two years ago – is literally building bridges, a unique partnership at the heart of Nato.
The King hosted German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier for a state banquet at Windsor Castle (Picture: AFP)
‘And more broadly, of course, the United Kingdom and Germany together stand with Ukraine and bolster Europe against the threat of further Russian aggression.’
The German president also echoed the King’s words about tensions in Europe.
He told the guests: ‘We are working together to promote security and defence, side by side for a free, peaceful Europe, side by side in support of Ukraine.’
Mr Steinmeier and his wife Elke Budenbender were guests of honour at the dinner marking their three-day state visit while others present included German supermodel Claudia Schiffer and her filmmaker husband Sir Matthew Vaughn.
King Charles III gives a speech during the state banquet for the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Budenbender, at Windsor Castle (Picture: Aaron Chown – Pool/Getty Images)
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Up Next
Previous Page Next PageCharles told the banquet guests who included the Prime Minister and Prince and Princess of Wales: ‘It is 36 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall – a momentous event in human history.
‘The tumultuous period of political, social and technological change that happened after that has tested our values. Many have found that unsettling and even frightening. Fear can lead to anger and resentment.’
More Trending
-
Play Video
Did you spot mysterious beam of light that was visible across the UK this morning?
Channel: UK UK 18 hours ago By Josh Milton - Schoolchildren injured after bus roof ripped off ploughing into low bridge
- Nursery worker filmed himself sexually abusing children during shifts
- Sarah Everard's mother 'still tormented by the horror of her final hours'
‘But the United Kingdom and Germany are united in a continued belief in democracy, freedom and the rule of law.’
Other famous names with German heritage or connections in attendance included movie-score composer Hans Zimmer, Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse, who lives in Germany, and Axel Scheffler, the illustrator behind popular children’s book The Gruffalo.
The King spoke large parts of his speech in German and touched on a subject important to both nations – football.
Among the guests was German former footballer Thomas Hitzlsperger, who played for Aston Villa, the Premier League team supported by William, and England Lioness Georgia Stanway.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].
For more stories like this, check our news page.
Arrow MORE: Map shows safest countries to be in if Putin launches war on Europe
Arrow MORE: British man arrested in Ukraine for being a Russian spy
Arrow MORE: Russian couple ‘watched each other being tortured to death’ over £380,000,000 in crypto
Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source News UpdatesStay on top of the headlines with daily email updates.
Email I agree to receive newsletters from Metro I agree to receive newsletters from Metro Sign UpSign UpThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy
