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
Sovereign's Parade, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, 12 April 2006
This day marks the beginning of what I hope will be highly successful careers as officers in the British Army or the armies of our friends and allies.
State Banquet in Singapore, 17 March 2006
The links between Britain and Singapore are as strong as ever, and our future relationship is bright indeed.
Australian Prime Minister's Commonwealth Games luncheon, 15 March 2006
Australia has an enviable record at the Commonwealth Games.
A speech by The Queen at the XVIII Commonwealth Games, Australia, 2006
Tonight we celebrate the value of sport as a means of bringing together people from seventy-one nations and territories.
Dinner at Parliament House in Canberra, 14 March 2006
Australia in the course of my lifetime has firmly established itself amongst the most respected nations of the world.
Opening of the new colonnade of Sydney Opera House, 13 March 2006
It was universally agreed that the Opera House was something more than a performing arts centre, more than a great work of architecture.
State Visit, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil, 7 March 2006
I have vivid and happy memories of my visit to Brazil with Prince Philip in 1968, especially the warmth and hospitality of the Brazilian people.
An address by The Queen to the National Assembly for Wales, 2006
It is to the men and women of Wales that you, the members of this National Assembly, ultimately answer.
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh's State Visit to the Baltic
The Queen's New Year's Honours List 2006: The Royal Victorian Order
Christmas Broadcast 2005
These natural and human tragedies provided the headline news; they also provoked a quite remarkable humanitarian response.
Prince William undertakes work experience with a RAF Mountain Rescue Team
State Visit of the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil
The Queen's speech at the opening of the 2005 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
We in the Commonwealth are our own 'world wide web'.
State banquet in Malta, 23 November 2005
We both retain a deep affection for your country and the outgoing, generous Maltese people who have always offered us the hand of friendship.
Opening ceremony, eighth General Synod of the Church of England, 15 Nov 2005
When limitless amounts of information, much of it ephemeral, are instantly accessible on demand, there is a renewed hunger for that which endures and gives meaning.
State Banquet, President of the People's Republic of China, 8 November 2005
It matters to all of us what kind of country China's people will build.
Announcement of events to celebrate The Queen's 80th birthday in 2006
Norway State Banquet, 25 October 2005
I remember the bonfires along the coastline as we arrived and the enthusiastic welcome we received as guests of your grandfather, King Haakon.
Dinner in HMS Victory, 200th anniversary of Trafalgar, 21 October 2005
Success at Trafalgar was by no means a foregone conclusion.
Message to the President of Pakistan following the earthquake
Prince William appointed President-Designate of the Football Association
Opening of a new headquarters, Royal Bank of Scotland, 14 September 2005
The Bank was granted its Royal Charter 278 years ago and even a prudent bank needs to build a new headquarters once in a while.
Message to England cricket captain following Ashes victory
Message to the President of the USA following Hurricane Katrina
The Queen has made a donation to the London Bombings Relief Charitable Fund
World War II commemorative event, Horse Guards Parade, 10 July 2005
An act of remembrance is an act of honour.
Royal London Hospital, following terrorist bombs in London, 8 July 2005
Atrocities such as these simply reinforce our sense of community, our humanity, and our trust in the rule of law. That is the clear message from us all.
Message to congratulate the successful London 2012 Olympic bid team
The Queen will dine in HMS VICTORY on the 200th anniversary Trafalgar
Birthday Honours List 2005: Recipients of the Royal Victorian Order
Centenary of Alberta joining Confederation, Alberta Legislature, Canada, 24 May 2005
While all Albertans — and all Canadians — value this history as a colourful account of the past, we also view it as a foundation for our present and future.