King Charles says UK and Germany will ‘bolster Europe’ against Russia

King Charles III has said the UK and Germany will work together to ‘bolster’ Europe against the growing threat of Russia.

The King hosted German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier for a state banquet at Windsor Castle as tensions between Europe and Russia intensified this week.

Vladimir Putin has accused European leaders of sabotaging US-led efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

The Russian dictator has rejected changes proposed by Ukraine and Europe to a draft peace plan, calling it unacceptable.

He also said Moscow was ready for war with the continent, but these comments were dismissed as ‘sabre-rattling’ by the UK Government.

Charles told guests seated in St George’s Hall: ‘With regard to shared defence, our German-British Bridging Battalion at Minden – which I visited during our state visit two years ago – is literally building bridges, a unique partnership at the heart of Nato.

‘And more broadly, of course, the United Kingdom and Germany together stand with Ukraine and bolster Europe against the threat of further Russian aggression.’

The German president also echoed the King’s words about tensions in Europe.

He told the guests: ‘We are working together to promote security and defence, side by side for a free, peaceful Europe, side by side in support of Ukraine.’

Mr Steinmeier and his wife Elke Budenbender were guests of honour at the dinner marking their three-day state visit while others present included German supermodel Claudia Schiffer and her filmmaker husband Sir Matthew Vaughn.

Charles told the banquet guests who included the Prime Minister and Prince and Princess of Wales: ‘It is 36 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall – a momentous event in human history.

‘The tumultuous period of political, social and technological change that happened after that has tested our values. Many have found that unsettling and even frightening. Fear can lead to anger and resentment.’

‘But the United Kingdom and Germany are united in a continued belief in democracy, freedom and the rule of law.’

Other famous names with German heritage or connections in attendance included movie-score composer Hans Zimmer, Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse, who lives in Germany, and Axel Scheffler, the illustrator behind popular children’s book The Gruffalo.

The King spoke large parts of his speech in German and touched on a subject important to both nations – football.

Among the guests was German former footballer Thomas Hitzlsperger, who played for Aston Villa, the Premier League team supported by William, and England Lioness Georgia Stanway.

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