The King took home some German cheese and his wife Camilla feasted on delicious dairy products and honey as the royal couple were greeted by huge crowds in Berlin today.
On the second day of his historic state visit, the British monarch was warmly received by Chancellor Olaf Schultz upon his arrival at the Federal Chancellery building.
He and Queen Consort Camilla then met at the city’s Wittenbergplatz food market for a brief visit before the monarch became the first British monarch to address German politicians in the Bundestag.
The royal couple also spoke to a group of local business owners who discussed the market’s history and products.
Charles shared a number of big laughs with the crowd and the merchants, who made sure the couple tried their sausages, cheese, honey and fresh fruit and vegetables.
King is seen getting his hands dirty in the dairy
The king was curious when traditional German cheese was made
King Charles III gestures and laughs as he visits a food market on the second day of his royal tour
Camila Waves and Charles are handing out some juice at the kiosk this morning
As he strolled through an organic food market in Berlin, the King joked that Buckingham Palace honey was “probably not as good” as theirs.
Camilla, wearing a silk dress and brown cashmere coat by Anna Valentine, sampled Alpine sheep’s cheese and the couple eventually left the market laden with produce including apple juice, flowers and fruit.
Cheers of “God save the King” and “God save the Queen” accompanied them as they slowly made their way from booth to booth.
The Queen conversed with members of the public on the side of the road while she awaited the arrival of the detached monarch and was given a blue vase.
Upon arrival, the couple met Silvia Hinche, managing director of the Berlin Brandenburger Bauern market, and Franziska Giffe, mayor of Berlin.
One of the first stalls they stopped at was the wild garlic stall, Der Barlauchbauer, which sold freeze-dried garlic. Owner Axel Kaiser decorated the stand with portraits of the king.
Charles asked Mr. Kaiser if he had picked the garlic himself, and was told that he had, but he declined an offer to taste some of the garlic, saying it was full.
Among the many members of the public who shook hands with the couple was a woman who said she met Charles 40 years ago when he gave a speech in Wales and told him he was “amazing”. Another woman told him she would love him to visit Switzerland.
“Are you here to do some shopping?” The king asked another woman.
At the honey stand, they chatted with the owner, Martin Berschke, who told them the honey had not been processed. “Can I buy one?” Charles asked. I will trade you for one. Maybe not very well.
At a vegetable stall, the king asked, “Do you sell most of this in one day?” He also asked about apples and pears before taking a slice of apple on a chopstick to try later. He passed it on to his horseman to add to his basket of honey, and said, May I taste that, please? I might try that later.
As they went along, Charles said to his wife, “I am so impressed that they are producing pears like this now.”
At the meat-stall, the king asked: “Do you have pigs, cows, or sheep?” He shook hands with the seller who pointed to some lamb. “Are you going to sell all of this today?” Asked. “We hope so,” was the response.
“I wish we had more time to try some,” added Charles, before handing him a cistern to take home. ‘Is this ours to take?’ He said thank you.
Berlin Mayor Franziska Giffe, Britain’s King Charles and Camilla the Queen Queen visit the farmers’ market at Wittenbergplatz today
The Queen Consort gives a thumbs up during a visit to the Wittenbergplatz market where she ate some honey
The Queen Consort tried some of the cheese, remarking, “That’s so good,” before they were given several packets to add to their cart.
As they continue to fight through the crowd, Camilla says to Charles, “This poor guy stopped us from shopping.”
The next stall was a fishmonger selling smoked fish from a large smoker. ‘I wonder what fish,’ said the King, before he was told it was trout and eel.
Then he clapped for joy. “It’s very nice, I bet,” he said. I hope you sell them all. Where are you born?
Before the couple returned to the State Bentley, which Bentley had taken to Germany at its own expense, they were each given some flowers.
When the kiosk owner asked for a picture of the royals with their flowers, the security guards tried to get them into the car but Camilla said, “Let her take a picture of the flowers.”
As they were leaving, someone shouted, “Three cheers to the King.”
An armed policeman surveys the building surrounding the market
At lunchtime today Charles will deliver a speech in the Bundestag to celebrate the deep historical ties and longstanding ties between Germany and the United Kingdom.
The King and Queen Consort’s state visit to Germany, the first in Charles’ reign, began on Wednesday with a ceremonial salute at Berlin’s famous Brandenburg Gate.
The king was supposed to be in France earlier in the week, but President Macron canceled it due to ongoing protests over his pension reforms.
During a speech at a state banquet in his honor on Wednesday night, Charles pledged to “strengthen ties” between the UK and Germany as he hailed the “enduring value” of the relationship between the two countries.
Germany has taken in more than a million Ukrainian refugees seeking sanctuary after Russia invaded their homeland, and Charles will tour the Tegel refugee center to meet some of the group.
Separately, the Queen Consort will visit the community center Refugio House, a meeting place for locals and new residents of Berlin, including refugees.
Britain’s Camilla, Queen Consort (left), and Berlin’s ruling mayor Franziska Giffe (right), welcome philanthropists
Camilla tests some honey
An armed police officer stands guard as King Charles and Queen Camilla of Britain visit a farmers’ market
King Charles’ trip to Germany was a huge success.
On an impromptu tour, the King was graciously shown a crown – and paper – on his first official engagement on his state visit to Germany yesterday.
He was touring Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate when he came across a number of well-wishers wearing Burger King crowns presented by the fast-food giant.
A man undressed him and tried to press him into the king’s hands, saying politely: “This is for you, if you want it.”
Charles smiled broadly and said, “I’m fine!” He has, of course, a number of real things in the house. He also smiled and refused another crown from a woman who said, “I have a present for you.”
The King was also seen stooping to pick up a man’s hat before returning it to him, the grateful owner thanking him and bowing.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Bodenbender, formally greeted Charles and Camilla – who took selfies with fans – at the Brandenburg Gate before the national anthem was played.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomes Britain’s King Charles III to the Berlin Chancellery this morning
Charles skips his royal car as he begins the second day of his historic trip to Germany
Charles and Schulz speak at the Chancellery in Berlin
King Charles and Queen Camilla are welcomed at the Brandenburg Gate by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Boydenbender
In a sign of the importance attached to the visit, the couple were given their first full official and military welcome at the landmark since World War II. Even Queen Elizabeth II, who visited Berlin for her last ever state visit in 2015, was not given the honor.
They were due to fly in from Paris, but the first part of their visit to France was canceled at 11 o’clock by President Macron amid scenes of massive civil unrest in his country. It will be rearranged at a later time.
Speaking for the first time this afternoon about the cancellation of the visit, the king told a reporter it was “very sad”.
In Berlin, the Queen Consort wore a turquoise colored coat and dress by Bruce Oldfield and an elegant hat by Philip Treacy.
And with a lovely personal detail, she wore a brooch that belonged to Queen Elizabeth, which Queen Mary gave to the late monarch upon her confirmation in 1942.
President Steinmeier praised the King’s foresight on climate change at a green energy reception at Schloss Bellevue.
The King followed a translation of the President’s remarks into a pamphlet and smiled warmly as Mr. Steinmeier repeated them in English.
He also thanked the King for making his first state visit to Germany, saying, ‘This visit, Your Majesty’s first trip abroad as the new Sovereign, is an enormous personal gesture – and for that I wish to express my heartfelt thanks. I look forward to the days ahead and to the many opportunities we will have to exchange views.
The King has been told that work this year will begin on an undersea power cable between the Isle of Green in Kent and Wilmshaven in Germany, with the President adding: ‘This first direct energy link highlights how closely Germany and the UK are working together to make our economies neutral’ climatically.
“I consider this an encouraging example – just as His Majesty’s visit to Germany is encouraging.”