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GERMANY AND THE UK

IN PICTURES: Germany pays tribute to the Queen

German politicians, media outlets, and the public are pouring out their respects to the UK’s longest-serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II after her death. We share the tributes, as well as photos of the Queen's many fond visits to Germany.

Published: 9 September 2022 11:55 CEST
IN PICTURES: Germany pays tribute to the Queen
Queen Elizabeth II greets crowds gathered near Berlin's Brandenburg Gate on her final state visit to Germany in 2015. Photo: picture alliance/dpa/AFP pool | John Macdougall

In Germany, Queen Elizabeth II was a figure who invoked both respect and admiration from the general public, in German media, and from the country’s politicians.

Even in German, newspapers generally referred to her as “Die Queen” instead of the German language “Die Königin.”

Public broadcaster ARD prepared a nearly 30-minute documentary about the Queen ahead of her Platinum Jubilee earlier this year.

READ ALSO: Germany hails Queen Elizabeth as ‘symbol of reconciliation’ after two world wars

The morning after the Queen’s passing, the high-circulating Bild put out a full front-page tribute, saying “the world weeps for the Queen.”

German newspapers on 9 September 2022 following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Thomas Banneyer

German Parliament observed a minute of silence while Berliners left flowers at the nearby British Embassy, to pay tribute to a British monarch considered a close friend of Germany.

Mourners left candles and flowers at the British Embassy in Berlin shortly after news of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Christophe Gateau

Chancellor Olaf Scholz tweeted that the Queen was an inspiration to millions, including people in Germany, noting both her commitment to British-German reconciliation after WWII and her “wonderful sense of humour”.

The German Bundestag observes a minute of silence in honour of Queen Elizabeth II on 9 September 2022. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Bernd von Jutrczenka

During her 70-year reign, the Queen made five state visits to Germany – one of the highest totals of any non-Commonwealth country. Her first visit in 1965 included 18 German cities in 10 days, during a trip widely seen as a major step in reconciliation between the UK and Germany only 20 years after WWII.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visit West Berlin in 1965 on their first state visit to Germany. Photo: picture alliance / dpa | Konrad Giehr

Berlin newspapers in particular, noted the special significance of the Queen’s trip to West Berlin in 1965, seeing the Wall for herself. Der Tagesspiegel wrote of her “special relationship” to the city. Berliner Morgenpost called her “a great friend to the city” and wrote “Berlin loves the Queen.”

Queen Elizabeth II signs West Berlin’s golden book at Rathaus Schöneberg in 1965. Photo: picture alliance / dpa | dpa

Queen Elizabeth II greets crowds gathered near Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate on her final state visit to Germany in 2015. Photo: picture alliance/dpa/AFP pool | John Macdougall

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visit Kiel Harbour in 1978. Photo: picture alliance / Georg Spring/dpa | Georg Spring

Queen Elizabeth II listens to a choir at a Düsseldorf children’s hospital in 2004, before visiting a few patients without the cameras. Photo: picture-alliance / dpa/dpaweb | Martin_Meissner

In London too, the Queen has received several German dignitaries over the course of her reign. Most recently, long-serving former Chancellor Angela Merkel visited the Queen at Windsor Castle in 2021.

Then German Chancellor Angela Merkel visits Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle during a state visit to the UK in 2021. Photo: picture alliance/dpa/PA Wire | Steve Parsons
 

Queen Elizabeth II greets the German Football team before the 1996 Euro final at Wembley Stadium in London. Photo: picture alliance / dpa | Bernd Weissbrod

In Germany, flags remain at half-mast around the country.

Queen Elizabeth II walks Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate on her final state visit to Germany in 2015. Photo: picture alliance/dpa/REUTERS POOL/EPA | Fabrizio Bensch
 
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GERMANY AND THE UK

UK Prime Minister Starmer promises Brexit ‘reset’ on Germany trip

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed on a visit to Berlin Wednesday that a planned new treaty with Germany was part of his nation's push to mend EU ties damaged by Brexit.

Published: 28 August 2024 08:20 CEST
Updated: 28 August 2024 15:57 CEST
UK Prime Minister Starmer promises Brexit 'reset' on Germany trip

The move toward a reset, welcomed by German leader Olaf Scholz, will also include the British premier travelling to Paris for talks with President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday.

Starmer said the proposed accord, set to include a defence agreement and deeper links on science, technology as well as trade, was hoped to be agreed by year’s end.

The British premier called the planned treaty a “once in a generation chance” to aid a “wider reset” in UK-EU ties.

Scholz welcomed his UK counterpart’s desire for a “reset”, adding: “We want to accept this outstretched hand.”

Labour had said it would seek a security and defence treaty with Germany if it won the July 4 general election, which it did by a landslide – propelling Starmer to the premiership.

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Jill Gallard, British Ambassador to Germany, walk near the Brandenburger Gate in Berlin on August 27th. Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / POOL / AFP

Starmer’s host Scholz has been under pressure to crack down on illegal migration after a suspected Islamist knife attack in the western city of Solingen on Friday.

The stabbing, which left three people dead and eight injured, was allegedly carried out by a 26-year-old Syrian man who evaded attempts by German authorities to deport him.

Starmer’s premiership has faced an early challenge after a deadly knife attack in Southport last month sparked anti-immigration riots, which officials say were stoked by far-right elements and false information.

Starmer said that he and Scholz had “agreed to develop a joint action plan to tackle illegal migration” and “smash the smuggler gangs who perpetrate this vile trade”.

Ukraine aid issue

The pair also discussed the war in Ukraine, with both countries under pressure over their aid for Kyiv to help it fight off Russia’s invasion.

Scholz insisted that both countries “stand firm at Ukraine’s side”, despite “recent attempts to sow doubt about this commitment”.

“Our resolve is as ever to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine to provide the support that it needs for as long as it needs,” Starmer added.

Kyiv’s Western allies have reacted cautiously to Ukraine’s recent incursion into Kursk, worried that their weapons could be used on Russian soil, possibly sparking a strong reaction from Moscow.

Britain allows Kyiv to deploy a squadron of 14 British-made Challenger 2 tanks as it sees fit, but has put limits on the use of its long-range Storm Shadow cruise missiles.

Starmer said Wednesday that “no new decisions have been taken” in terms relating to tactical questions on the use of weapons.

Germany has repeatedly refused to send Kyiv its long-range Taurus missiles, over fears of escalating the conflict.

Germany has been the second-largest contributor of aid to Ukraine after the United States, but plans to halve the budget for that aid next year.

Where Germany spent around eight billion euros ($9 billion) on aid for Ukraine in 2024, the latest draft earmarks around four billion euros.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED – Why German leaders are bashing planned Ukraine aid cuts

UK-Germany security pact

At a European Political Community (EPC) summit in England two weeks after his election win, Starmer told European leaders the UK would be a “friend and partner” to them.

Starmer has ruled out rejoining the European single market, customs union or freedom of movement — to avoid reopening what remains a thorny issue among British politicians and the public alike.

But he does want to negotiate a new security pact with the bloc and a veterinary agreement to ease border checks on agricultural foods, as well as an improved trading deal.

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