Ahead of the coronation, King Charles III and Queen Camilla will embark on their first royal tour since Charles ascended the throne, beginning with a 5-day visit to France and Germany to celebrate “shared histories, culture, and values.”
Charles and Camilla’s to embark on first tour as ruling royals
Buckingham Palace has announced that Charles and Camilla will travel to France and Germany on their first overseas tour before the coronation for a five-day visit from March 26 to March 31.
During the tour, Charles and Camilla are scheduled to take on between 25 to 30 different engagements across Germany and France.
As the Prince of Wales, Charles has traveled the world for decades. However, this will be his first landmark tour as head of state and King, People reported.
“The visit will celebrate the U.K.’s relationship with France and Germany, marking our shared histories, culture, and values,” a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace said. “It is also a chance to look forwards and show the many ways our countries are working in partnership, whether to tackle climate change, respond to the conflict in Ukraine, seize trade and investment opportunities, or share the best of our arts and culture.”
“As well as speaking to the strength of the United Kingdom’s bilateral relationships with France and Germany,” the spokesperson continued, “Their Majesties’ visit will include engagements highlighting the importance of sustainability and community — key themes which have been embraced by citizens of all our countries.”
“There will also be opportunities to reflect on the sacrifices and challenges of our shared past, out of which has come an enduring legacy of cooperation and reconciliation,” the spokesperson added.
Building bridges after Brexit strained relations
Calling the international trips the “first state visit of the new reign,” the visits by King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the European Union’s two largest countries appear to prioritize and underscore Britain’s efforts to build bridges with its European neighbors after years of strained relations that Brexit caused, KCRA reported.
The trips were made at the request of the British government and at the invitations of the two governments, according to Buckingham Palace.
In France, the visit will be hosted by President Emmanuel Macron, while the visit in Germany will be hosted by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, according to Buckingham Palace.
The visits also come during a thaw in relations between the U.K. and the EU, which have been strained by Britain’s decision to leave, and only days after Charles met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at Windsor Castle. It also comes after British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a breakthrough in talks to resolve the dispute over post-Brexit trading arrangements for Northern Ireland.
