King Charles prepares to receive German leader

King Charles and Queen Camilla will welcome German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Windsor Castle for a three day trip, said the royal family in a statement on Tuesday.

Steinmeier and his wife Elke Büdenbender will arrive on December 3 to meet Charles and Camilla, two years after the monarch went to Germany for his first official overseas trip after he became king in September 2023.

"This week, The King and Queen will welcome Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier of Germany and Ms. Büdenbender for a State Visit to the UK," said the royal family.

It said key elements of the state visit include: "A carriage procession through Windsor Town, A Guard of Honour in the Quadrangle if Windsor Castle, and a State Banquet held in the Federal President and Ms. Büdenbender's honour."

"For this State Visit, Windsor Castle will be decorated for Christmas in St George's Hall where the State Banquet takes place, there will be an approximately 25ft Christmas tree on display, decorated with more than 15,000 lights."

Prince William and Kate Middleton will represent King Charles to receive the guests at the Heathrow Airport on Wednesday.

It will be the first state visit by a German President for 27 years and the third  hosted by the British monarch this year, after he welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron in July, and US President Donald Trump in September.

The monarch has maintained a busy schedule of official engagements while he continues to undergo treatment for an unspecified form of cancer. 

His diagnosis was made public in February 2024.