Wunderbar! Thousands gather at The Brandenburg Gate to welcome Kate and William as Berlin catches royal fever
Couple are bidding farewell to Poland where they’ve spent two days celebrating the nation’s history, culture and ties with the UK
George and Charlotte seen for the second time on royal tour, after arriving with their parents on Monday morning
Couple will visit Brandenburg Gate and Holocaust memorial before private meeting with Angela Merkel
Tonight will celebrate the Queen’s birthday at a garden party at the British ambassador’s residence
Kate had to apologise to the German leader today when asked if she spoke German
They were greeted with rapturous scenes in Poland yesterday and today the citizens of Berlin proved that they too have caught royal fever.
Thousands lined the Pariser Platz to catch a glimpse of the royals as they visited the city’s historic Brandenburg gate.
Luckily the Chancellor speaks English well, but rarely uses it in public
Fans of the couple had gone out to give them a rapturous welcome, donning glittery Union Jack vests and waving flags, while one man even dressed up in the costume of one of the Queen’s guards, complete with a mock bearskin hat.
Earlier Kate apologised to Angela Merkel for not speaking German as she arrived for ‘extended’ discussions with the chancellor.
However, Kate may have briefly left the German chancellor unimpressed by admitting she doesn’t speak the language
Welcoming The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to the German chancery in Berlin, Mrs Merkel asked Kate if she spoke the language and the smiling Duchess replied: ‘No, no. Sorry.’
Kate’s lack of German language skills should not pose a problem during the visit however, as Mrs Merkel speaks English fluently.
News website Spiegel Online has called the royal visit a ‘charm offensive’
Although rarely heard speaking the language in public, Mrs Merkel revealed her competency when she addressed parliament during a visit to the UK in 2014.
While she may have fallen down on the language front Kate, 35, as ever showed off her prowess at diplomatic dressing, donning a bespoke Catherine Walker coat and lace dress in the violet blue shade of Germany’s national bloom, the cornflower.
Introducing my wife! Prince William looked delighted to have the chance to introduce Kate to German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin this afternoon
Flanked by security the beaming royal couple shook hands with Mrs Merkel as a European flag fluttered in the background.
The trio stood for pictures on a red carpet before Kate ushered William to stand between herself and Mrs Merkel for a final pose before heading into the chancellery for a private meeting.
The diplomatic Duchess donned Cornflower blue to meet with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who looked smart in a turquoise jacket and white trousers
William and Kate were due to spend an hour with Mrs Merkel for what Palace aides said was an ‘extended discussion’ and ‘lunch.’
According to German media, the trio will discuss topics such as European and global politics as well as community service projects over lunch at the chancellery.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are greeted by German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the chancellery in Berlin
German media said the long-planned visit was auspiciously timed as the negotiations on Britain leaving the EU get under way in fits and starts.
National broadsheet Sueddeutsche Zeitung called the young family ‘Her Majesty’s Secret Weapon’ and the German tour a ‘diplomatic mission’ with the enthusiastic backing of the Foreign Office.
Diplomatic dresser Kate looked stunning in cornflower blue – the shade of Germany’s national flower
‘They know better than anyone else on the island that the image of the United Kingdom on the continent is not the best at the moment,’ it said.
‘What could you do in this situation to indicate to your neighbours that Britain is of course a stable nation? Obviously, you send in the royals.’
Building bridges The meeting is seen as a crucial opportunity to strengthen bonds between the two nations ahead of Brexit
News website Spiegel Online called the visit a ‘charm offensive’, adding: ‘The royals represent a kind of common sense that this hard ideological government of the Tories seems to have completely lost at the moment,’ its commentator Thomas Huetlin said.
Conservative daily Die Welt called the royal visit to Germany ‘a kind of rescue mission’ a year after the fateful Brexit referendum which stunned the remaining 27 EU member states.
Mrs Merkel, 63, is hosting the royal couple at the chancellery before the visit the Brandenburg Gate
‘William and Kate are in Germany with their children to lighten the mood,’ it wrote.
The royal couple landed at Berlin Tegel airport this morning to begin their first official visit to Germany, accompanied by their children Charlotte and George.
The royals admire the view as Angela Merkel shows them around the Federal Chancellery in BerlinThe couple had the chance to admire their surroundings before sitting down to lunch with Mrs MerkelGerman Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, gestures as she gives William and Kate the first guided tour of their visit to BerlinThe trio wave as they prepare to enjoy lunch together at the chancellery in Berlin
The three-year-old Prince looked less than impressed with proceedings, tugging at his mother Kate’s coat to get her attention as she made her way along the receiving line on arrival at Berlin Tegel Airport.
Royal fever! Crowds waves and take photos as Kate makes her way to the Brandenburg Gate, accompanied by Private Secretary Rebecca DeaconA woman had donned a Ginger Spice-inspired Union Jack sequin dress to impress the royal visitor, who greeted crowds at the Pariser PlatzCrowds waves and take photos as Kate makes her way to the Brandenburg Gate, accompanied by Private Secretary Rebecca DeaconThe couple looked thrilled with the rapturous reception they received, following a private lunch with Chancellor Angela MerkelPrince William, Duke of Cambridge greets members of the public gathered at the Pariser Platz as royal fever sweeps BerlinRoyal fans had their cameras at the ready, eager to get a snap of the Duchess of CambridgeThe Duke and Duchess wave to wellwishers as they visit the historic Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, the city’s most famous landmarkThe couple pose in front of the most recognisable symbol of Germany, both as a divided nation in the bleak days of the Cold WarThey got a good spot! Two young royal fans were lucky enough to catch a moment to chat to the Duchess after placing themselves in front of the crowdTwo young royal fans were lucky enough to catch a moment to chat to the Duchess after placing themselves in front of the crowdKate leans down to shake hands with a young royal fanThe Duchess waves enthusiastically to the hordes of people who gathered to greet the royal visitorsThe Duchess shares a sweet moment with two young boys, who had waited to greet her near the Brandenburg GateThe couple were accompnied to the Brandenburg Gate by Berlin’s Mayor Michael Mueller and his daughter NinaA royal fan chose a very appropriate accessory to keep the afternoon sun off (left) while another may have been feeling the heatafter making the brave decision to dress up as one of the Queen’s guards, complete with a mock bearskin hatAn East German policeman in the Soviet Sector by the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, intercepting civilian transportFootage of Germans embracing on top of the Berlin Wall in November 1989, with the Gate as a backdropThe 18th century neoclassical monument it topped with a Quadriga – a chariot drawn by four horsesThe Duchess of Cambridge was impeccably co-ordinated, carrying a small ruched blue clutch bag to match her outfitRoyal fans couldn’t hide their delight at being introduced to the DuchessKate fever hits Berlin! Royal fans were very enthusiastic about welcoming the Duchess, with thousands lining the streetsThe Duchess did her utmost to shake hands with as many spectators as possible as she made her way through the crowdThe Duchess of Cambridge greets spaectators near Berlin’s most iconic landmark the Brandenburg GateFans were eager to shake hands with the Duchess and one had even brought along his own sign, adorned with an engagement picture of William and KateThe Duchess shakes hands with a posse of very friendly wellwishers near the Brandenburg GateEager wellwishers queued up in the hope of getting a selfie with the Duchess or the opportunity for a handshakeThe couple chat as they make their way through the Pariser PlatzKate chats to members of the public who had come out in force to greet the royalsThe Duchess shakes hands with fans, who shielded themselves from the afternoon sun with Union Jack umbrellasPrince William in making his second official visit to Germany after a trip to Dusseldorf for a series of events honouring the role of British armed forces based in Germany in August 2016Kate may not speak German but her enthusiasm for the city of Berlin was clear to see as she spent time with royal fans who gathered near the Brandenburg GateKate waves to the crowds after exiting her car to meet members of the public gathered at the Pariser Platz
Source: DAILYMAIL MAILONLINE
Tags: Prince George, Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, Princess Charlotte, Berlin Tegel airport, Charlotte and George, William and Kate, National broadsheet Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the German chancery in Berlin, Mrs Merkel
