Prince Charles and Camilla will become first royals to attend a German Remembrance event – as they make first overseas trip since Covid crisis began
- The pair will be the first royals to attend the Central Remembrance Ceremony
- Trip likely to be seen as part of monarchy’s ‘soft diplomacy’ to renew ties
- President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, invited Charles and Camilla
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall are to make their first joint official overseas visit since the coronavirus pandemic began by travelling to Germany this weekend.
Charles and Camilla will fly to Berlin to attend the Central Remembrance Ceremony on Sunday to commemorate the country’s annual National Day of Mourning, Clarence House has said.
Charles’ presence at the ceremony will be the first time a member of the royal family has taken part in the event.
The royal family have carried out a string of European visits since the 2016 EU referendum result decided the UK would leave the EU, and this latest trip is likely to be viewed as part of the monarchy’s ‘soft diplomacy’ to renew and strengthen friendships with countries on the continent.
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall are to make their first joint official overseas visit since the coronavirus pandemic began by travelling to Germany this weekend
Clarence House said in a statement: ‘At the request of The British Government, Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will attend the Central Remembrance Ceremony in Berlin to commemorate the annual National Day of Mourning on Sunday 15th November.
‘This follows an invitation from the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, (Patron of the War Graves Commission).’
Germany has recently been added to the UK’s quarantine list, with people travelling to the UK from the country now having to quarantine for two weeks.
The prince and his wife will not have to isolate for 14 days as certain diplomatic groups are covered by travel exemptions, but like the rest of their party they will take a Covid test 48 hours before leaving the UK.
The President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier (pictured laying a wreath at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in 2018), invited Charles and Camilla to his country
Clarence House went on to say: ‘Their Royal Highnesses will also attend the wreath-laying ceremony at the Neue Wache Memorial, before joining the Central Remembrance Ceremony at the German parliament, where the Prince of Wales will deliver a speech.
‘The National Day of Mourning will this year focus on the German-British friendship, which has grown in the 75 years since the end of the Second World War.
‘The event pays tribute to the Allied commitment to the liberation from Nazi occupation and to the reconstruction, re-democratisation and subsequent reunification of Germany. It remembers all victims of war and tyranny.’
In a highly symbolic gesture President Steinmeier laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in 2018 on behalf of his nation, in an historic act of reconciliation – the first time a German leader had left a floral tribute at the memorial.