Britain’s new King Charles III and his wife Camilla will make their first state visits abroad to France and Germany at the end of this month, AFP reported, citing Buckingham Palace.
He announced today that the royal couple will be in France from March 26 to 29 and Germany from March 29 to 31, respectively.
Charles III, 74, ascended the British throne after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on September 8 last year.
As Crown Prince, he has already made 34 official visits to France and 28 to Germany.
Now Charles has chosen precisely these countries, which together with the United Kingdom are the great European powers, for his first foreign tour as king.
The upcoming visit at the end of March “will mark the UK’s relationship with France and Germany, celebrating our history, culture and shared values”, according to a statement from Buckingham Palace. It will be dominated by environmental issues – a priority for the British king since he was heir to the throne.
The decision of the British king to visit France and Germany first “is also an important European gesture”, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed satisfaction, quoted by DPA.
The United Kingdom left the European Union on 31 January 2020 (GMT) in accordance with the result of the referendum on 23 June 2016.
The Elysee Palace also welcomed the visit, AFP reported. This “honor conferred on France” “also symbolizes the bond of friendship and trust between” President Emmanuel Macron and King Charles III, the communique said.
The first state visit of a foreign leader to the country under the new King Charles III was the President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa in November, DPA notes.
