A king in the Bundestag: Charles, the conciliator?
As part of his three-day visit to Germany, King Charles III has become the first monarch to address the Bundestag. In his speech to the parliament he praised the Anglo-German friendship and Germany's support for Ukraine. Commentators welcome his warm words, especially against the backdrop of Brexit.
Looking to the future
Charles' speech in the Bundestag will go down in the history books, Tagesspiegel proclaims:
“Brexit? Yesterday's business. His majesty made an offer: You'll never walk alone. Technology, sustainability, mindfulness, environment, freedom and responsibility in matters of Ukraine - it was all in there. This also generates responsibility. For both sides: to serve the good, as brothers in arms. Not to let up, and at the same time not to leave Britain behind as a partner, although it is no longer as powerful as it once was. ... Bearing in mind his role, Charles's speech was very political. Oriented towards the future, and all this even before his coronation. A historical moment if ever there was one.”
A monarch as couples therapist
The visit of Charles and Camilla could have a therapeutic effect, The Times hopes:
“It underlines the close connections, dynastic, political and economic, between Britain and a country against whom the nation fought two world wars but which has since emerged as one of Britain's closest and most valued allies. It shows the government's determination, despite Brexit, to rebuild cordial relations with former partners in the European Union. ... The King has a more instinctive understanding. The Queen's social conscience will also appeal to young Germans. Together their visit will do much to turn a post-Brexit truce into a real friendship.”
Covert enthusiasm
Although they don't show it openly, Germans secretly love the royals, says the Aargauer Zeitung:
“The monarch was visiting friends. In this case, that was to be understood quite literally, for hardly anywhere else on the continent is enthusiasm for the British royal family greater than in Germany, even if the country's newspapers often adopt a tone of subtle irony when it comes to the royals. As if they were ashamed of their lust for unrepublican pomp. They are in love, but no one is supposed to notice.”