A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at The Queen's Birthday Garden Party in Berlin
Published
Our visit will reflect, and I hope reinforce, the strong and wide-ranging ties between Britain and Germany.
Vielen Dank, Herr Botschafter. Guten Abend, meine Damen und Herren.
Thank you, Ambassador, and good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
It is a pleasure for Catherine and me to be with you on this occasion as we celebrate the birthday of my grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen.
It is just under a year since I was last in Germany, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and Britain’s role in its creation. I am delighted to be able to return so soon – this time with Catherine, George and Charlotte.
We have already had a fascinating first day here in Berlin.
We have seen powerful symbols of the historical events which helped shape modern Germany, and spoken with those who carry that that legacy forward today. I thank President Steinmeier and Chancellor Merkel for welcoming us so warmly.
We have also experienced the city beyond the monuments and corridors of power. This afternoon we visited the Strassenkinder project in east Berlin, which supports homeless children and young people. It reminds us of the difficulties faced by some of the most vulnerable people in society, even in prosperous countries such as Britain and Germany, and the value of both countries looking at examples of best practice in the other.
We look forward to seeing more of this great city during our stay here.
But we also want to get to know and understand Germany outside the capital. Tomorrow, we travel to Heidelberg, and on Friday to Hamburg.
Our visit will reflect, and I hope reinforce, the strong and wide-ranging ties between Britain and Germany. These include political, cultural, historical, commercial, sporting, academic and scientific links.
The United Kingdom and Germany proudly share the same values as open and democratic societies, and the same determination to champion those values and to defend them - not least through our very close defence and security partnerships. Today, we share a fundamental interest in the peace and prosperity of the continent of Europe to which we both belong.
This relationship between the United Kingdom and Germany really matters. It is the product of many years of working closely together. It will continue despite Britain's recent decision to leave the European Union. I am confident we shall remain the firmest of friends.
With this confidence in mind, I am particularly pleased that the British and German governments have agreed to double their funding of UK-German Connection, the bilateral initiative for school and youth links. UK-German Connection was established after the State Visit of the Queen to Germany in 2004, and it provides a wide range of UK-German activities, networks and funding for schools and youth groups. The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow, and we want to establish friendships between our young people that will last a lifetime.
I should like to finish with a message that my grandmother The Queen has sent to you all for this evening, and which she asked me to read to you:
Prince Philip and I send our warmest good wishes to all of you gathered for this special Garden Party, on the occasion of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's official visit to Germany.
We have fond memories of our five State Visits to Germany, from our first in 1965 to our most recent in 2015. Over the course of those fifty years, British-German relations have thrived, allowing us to face the challenges and embrace the opportunities of the 21st century together.
I am delighted that The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will experience the beauty of this country and the warmth of its people when they visit Berlin, Hamburg and Heidelberg.
I hope you all have a most enjoyable evening.
- Elizabeth R
Vielen Dank.
Thank you.
Related content
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry celebrate World Mental Health Day
09 October 2017Gardeners' Question Time at Frogmore House
The Duke of Cambridge gives a speech at the launch of the 2018 International Business Festival.
One way in which the Festival is particularly distinctive is its commitment to prosperity across the whole of the United Kingdom.
The Duke of Cambridge meets Second World War veterans at the Imperial War Museum
28 September 2017The Duke of Cambridge's speech at celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of Milton Keynes
The vision and ambition of the Founders of this town is to be congratulated, as well as so many of you who have made Milton Keynes the success that it is.
A message from The Queen to the President of Mexico following the recent earthquake
The Duke of Cambridge gives a speech at the National Mental Health and Policing Conference
Being a member of the emergency services takes considerable mental strength and resilience, and I believe there is more that we can and should do to support all first...
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting their third child
A message from The Queen following the recent attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils
A message from The Queen following the landslides in Sierra Leone
A Message from The Queen at the opening of the 2017 IAAF World Championships at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium
I was delighted to open the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in this very stadium and I know it holds extraordinary memories for competitors and spectators alike...
Reading by The Duke of Cambridge at the Last Post ceremony in Belgium
We extend our deep gratitude to the Last Post Association and the people of Ieper for this daily act of homage in honour of our fallen
Prince Harry delivers a message from The Queen at RAF Honnington
The presentation of Colours is an opportunity to recognise historic achievements and to look forward to the future with confidence; a confidence built upon the dedication of...
The Duke of Cambridge's speech at The Queen's Birthday Garden Party in Poland
Catherine and I are delighted to be embarking on our first visit to Poland, and we hope to return many times in the years to come
The Queen's speech at the Spanish State Banquet
This State Visit is an expression of the deep respect and friendship that describes relations between Spain and the United Kingdom
Virtual tours: Buckingham Palace
An iconic building and official residence of The Queen, Buckingham Palace has been the focus of many moments of national celebration, from Jubilees and weddings to VE Day and...
A message from The Queen following the fire in Grenfell Tower yesterday.
A Message from Her Majesty The Queen on the opening of the 2017 Commonwealth Science Conference
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the Commonwealth Science Conference in Singapore following the success of the Bangalore Conference in 2014. I am very grateful...