The British royal family rolled out the red carpet this December for an official state visit by Germany’s president Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Büdenbender, culminating in a series of events that blended centuries-old tradition with heartfelt personal moments. The visit, which began on December 3, 2025, and lasted until December 5, was marked by dazzling fashion, subtle signals of royal etiquette, and warm gestures that highlighted the enduring bond between the United Kingdom and Germany.
The festivities kicked off at Heathrow Airport, where the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Catherine, greeted the German president and his wife. According to coverage in People, Princess Catherine—often a beacon of timeless style—opted for a smart sapphire-blue coat and hat, complemented by a striking change in her usual hairstyle. Gone were her signature bouncy waves, replaced instead by sleek, shiny, straight hair that fell to her mid-back. The understated look was still every bit as polished and regal, offering a fresh take on royal formality that many observers found both glamorous and approachable.
From Heathrow, the royal welcome continued at Windsor Castle, where King Charles III and Queen Camilla received their guests for a private tour of royal artifacts. Among the treasures on display was a handwritten musical score by Felix Mendelssohn, composed in 1847 specifically for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. President Steinmeier, a noted admirer of history and culture, took particular interest in this piece. The visit to Windsor was not just about protocol—it was a chance for both nations to reflect on their intertwined histories and shared values.
One of the most charming moments of the visit came as the Prince and Princess of Wales viewed artifacts in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor. As reported by Daily Mail, eagle-eyed onlookers spotted a subtle, affectionate exchange between William and Catherine—a hallmark of their well-rehearsed, private communication style. While Catherine engaged in an animated conversation with a curator, William gently placed his hand on her back, a discreet signal that it was time to move on. The princess, ever attuned to her husband’s cues, quickly wrapped up the conversation, and the couple issued a warm thank you before moving along. Such understated gestures, though barely noticeable to the casual observer, speak volumes about the couple’s dynamic and the delicate balance they maintain between public duty and personal connection.
This isn’t the first time the royal couple’s secret code has caught the public’s attention. During the wedding of Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan in 2023, William was seen signaling to Catherine to wrap up a lively conversation with the bride, even jokingly uttering “chop chop” as a gentle nudge. These moments, while lighthearted, underscore the importance of etiquette and timing in royal engagements—especially when the eyes of the world are watching.
Catherine herself has acknowledged her tendency to become engrossed in conversation during official walkabouts. In the 2016 documentary Queen at Ninety, she confessed, “I think there is a real art to walkabouts. Everyone teases me in the family that I spend far too long chatting, so I think I’ve still got to learn a little bit more and pick up a few more tips I suppose.” Her openness and warmth are often cited as key reasons for her popularity, but as she’s learned, even the most personable royals must occasionally be reminded of the clock.
The centerpiece of the state visit was the grand banquet held in St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle on the evening of December 3. The event was a spectacle of tradition and pageantry, attended by senior royals including the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. The 45-metre dining table glittered under the glow of 158 candles and a towering 20-foot Christmas tree adorned with 15,000 fairy lights—a first in modern royal history for a state banquet, according to Daily Mail.
Princess Catherine stole the show at the banquet, arriving in a sweeping pale blue Jenny Packham gown and crowned with Queen Victoria’s rare Oriental Circlet tiara. The tiara, designed by German-born Prince Albert for his beloved wife, features lotus flowers within eleven Mughal arches and up to 2,600 diamonds from Garrard in London. Its presence at the banquet was deeply symbolic, both as a nod to the German guests and as a reaffirmation of Catherine’s established role within the royal family. Queen Victoria had designated the tiara as an “heirloom of the Crown” in her will, to be “worn by future Queens in right of it.”
Prince William, meanwhile, was the picture of classic elegance in white tie and the Windsor tailcoat, while Queen Camilla dazzled in a green lace evening gown paired with the Girls of Great Britain and Northern Ireland tiara and the Order of Germany Sash. The guest list read like a who’s who of British royalty, but the atmosphere was anything but stiff. The banquet menu even included a playful nod to the visitors: the Schwarzwald Martini, a dark chocolate martini with a brandy twist inspired by the iconic German Black Forest cake. It was a clever, delicious gesture that underscored the spirit of hospitality and friendship.
The following day, President Steinmeier continued his official engagements, including an audience with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Downing Street. Throughout the visit, the German president emphasized the deep ties between the two nations. “When it comes down to it, the British and the Germans are much more alike than some would think,” Steinmeier remarked. “And I am convinced that our partnership draws its strength from this very factor.”
As the visit drew to a close, President Steinmeier and his wife expressed their gratitude to their royal hosts in a touching exchange. According to The Telegraph, as the German leader made his way to his waiting car, he turned and called out, “Happy Christmas,” before adding, “We will never forget.” The simple words captured the warmth and significance of the occasion—a state visit not just marked by ceremony, but by genuine connection.
In a season often defined by tradition and togetherness, the German state visit offered a timely reminder of the enduring power of diplomacy, hospitality, and those small, personal moments that make even the grandest occasions feel intimate.
