In a historic speech to the German parliament, the British monarch says UK and Germany united to defend democratic values, and support Ukraine.
Britain’s King Charles III called for stronger cooperation between the UK and Germany in a historic speech to the German parliament on Thursday.
“It means a lot to me and my wife that we’ve been invited to Germany for my first overseas visit as king,” he said in German. After his mother, the long-reigning Queen Elizabeth II, died in September, Charles ascended to the throne.
“I’m especially pleased to be able to speak here today to reaffirm our countries’ commitment to friendship.”
During a three-day state visit to Germany, Charles made history by becoming the first British monarch to address the German Bundestag, or parliament.
During his speech, he emphasized that the UK and Germany are united in their defense of liberal and democratic values, as well as their support for Ukraine against Russia.
“Europe’s security and democratic values were jeopardized. But the rest of the world did not sit back and do nothing “He went on to say that the United Kingdom and Germany are now the two most vocal supporters of Ukraine.
“Germany’s decision to provide significant military assistance to Ukraine is extremely courageous, important, and welcome,” he said.
“We are horrified by the heinous destruction that we have witnessed (in Ukraine), but let us draw strength from our unity in defending Ukraine, liberty, and democracy,” Charles said.
His remarks drew long applause from German Cabinet members, legislators, and other guests.
Following his speech, Charles went to a refugee center in Tegel, Berlin, and met with Ukrainian women and children who had fled the war and were now more than 13 months old.
Later, Charles and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited the joint German-British Amphibious Engineer Battalion in Finowfurt, near Berlin.
They were briefed by British and German soldiers and witnessed a demonstration of amphibious vehicles constructing a bridge across the Oder-Havel Canal.
Since the nineteenth century, the British royal family has had a large German component.
