German President marks last day of UK state visit with poignant moment

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is concluding his UK state visit

By Maryam Nasir
December 05, 2025
Duke of Kent steps out for poignant moment with German President
Duke of Kent steps out for poignant moment with German President

President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and his wife Elke Budenbender, marked the last day of their U.K. state visit with a poignant engagement alongside the Duke of Kent.

As per the Instagram handle of the Royal Family: "The Federal President and Ms. Büdenbender, alongside The Duke of Kent, laid a wreath in the ruins of the old cathedral."

In the post, photos of Prince Edward and the President from the outing were shared. The President’s visit marked a poignant moment as the Nazis bombed the Gothic cathedral on the night of November 14, 1940, amid the Third Reich’s atrocities during WWII.

"Coventry was twinned with Kiel and Dresden in Germany over their shared experience of bombardment during the Second World War," the caption continued.

"For decades, the Duke of Kent has played an active role in fostering British-German reconciliation. The Duke has served as Royal Patron of the Dresden Trust since its creation in 1993 and of the British German Association since 1994," the caption added of the first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

This comes after the President and his wife enjoyed a lavish state banquet thrown in their honor. Princess Kate once again stole the limelight at the event, wearing Queen Victoria's Oriental Circlet Tiara. The Princess of Wales looked dazzling in a blue shimmering Jenny Packham dress.

Others attending the banquet included the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal and her husband, Sir Tim Laurence, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, along with the Duke of Norfolk, the Duke of Wellington.