London, Oct 13 (UNI) The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, famed for her elegance and regal poise, is preparing for yet another glittering evening this December, as King Charles III and Queen Camilla host German President Frank-Walter Steiner and First Lady Elke Büdenbender for a three-day state visit at Windsor Castle.
They are in the country until December 5, Buckingham Palace announced on October 13.
This will be the third head-of-state visit to the United Kingdom in 2025, following French President Emmanuel Macron in July and U.S. President Donald Trump in September. This is the first occasion in 27 years that a German head of state has been received with such ceremonial grandeur.
With Buckingham Palace undergoing renovations, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and First Lady Frau Elke Büdenbender will stay at Windsor Castle, where nearly 1,000 years of royal history permeate the thick stone walls.
It is a significant visit for the U.K. as Charles, 76, and Camilla, 78, undertook their first overseas tour of Charles’ reign to Germany in March 2023.
In different roles as Federal President and Minister for Foreign Affairs, President Steinmeier has visited the U.K. often, and represented his country at Charles and Camilla’s Coronation in May 2023.
And this scheduling follows the December tradition of a visit. Last year, the King and the Queen hosted the Amir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and his wife, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani, in December.
That visit was centred around London, and Princess Kate, then still recovering from her cancer treatment, only took part in the daytime activities welcoming the couple.
Meanwhile, Queen Camilla, who was struggling with lingering after effects of a chest infection, missed the chilly outdoor events but was at the banquet on the evening of Dec. 3, reports PEOPLE.
The forthcoming German visit is set to be a highlight of the royal family’s festive season, with Princess Kate also expected to preside over her annual “Together at Christmas” service at Westminster Abbey.
