Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles were welcomed in Berlin today ahead of a remembrance ceremony to commemorate Germany’s National Day of Mourning – the first British royals to ever attend the service.
The couple were officially greeted by the country’s president Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Budenbender at Berlin’s Bellevue Palace this morning, having arrived last night.
The foursome, all donning face masks, posed for a socially distanced picture outside the 18th century building which is the principal official residence of the Federal President of Germany.
Dressed all in black, Charles, who celebrated his 72nd birthday yesterday, wore his military medals while Camilla donned a face mask adorned in poppies in a tribute to the fallen.
Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall pose for a picture next to German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Buedenbender prior a meeting at the presidential Bellevue palace in Berlin
![Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles were welcomed in Berlin today ahead of a remembrance ceremony to commemorate Germany's National Day of Mourning](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/11/15/11/35695264-8950671-Prince_Charles_and_Camilla_Parker_Bowles_were_welcomed_in_Berlin-a-15_1605439248915.jpg)
Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles were welcomed in Berlin today ahead of a remembrance ceremony to commemorate Germany’s National Day of Mourning
![Charles, who celebrated his 72nd birthday yesterday, wore his military medals for the sombre occasion. The event aims to reflect the importance of British-German ties amid Brexit tensions](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/11/15/11/35695276-8950671-Charles_who_celebrated_his_72nd_birthday_yesterday_wore_his_mili-a-16_1605439248924.jpg)
Charles, who celebrated his 72nd birthday yesterday, wore his military medals for the sombre occasion. The event aims to reflect the importance of British-German ties amid Brexit tensions
Later they will attend a wreath-laying ceremony at Neue Wache – New Guardhouse – home to the Central Memorial of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Victims of War and Tyranny.
The royal couple will step forward together and touch their wreaths in the German tradition of symbolically tidying the ribbons, before a moment of silence and a solo trumpeter playing The Good Comrade.
The visit will culminate with the prince and duchess travelling to the Bundestag for the Central Remembrance Ceremony marking Germany’s National Day of Mourning – the first time members of the British monarchy have attended the event.
During the event, where readings will be given and a minute’s silence will be observed, Charles is set to give a historic speech urging the world to unite and stamp out hate crimes for the sake of future generations.
![The royal couple were officially greeted by the country's president Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Budenbender at Berlin's Bellevue Palace](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/11/15/11/35695314-8950671-The_royal_couple_were_officially_greeted_by_the_country_s_presid-a-18_1605439248936.jpg)
The royal couple were officially greeted by the country’s president Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Budenbender at Berlin’s Bellevue Palace
![Wearing a purple velvet protective face covering, the Prince of Wales waves to onlookers as he leaves the Hotel Adlon in Berlin for the ceremony](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/11/15/11/35695878-8950671-image-a-53_1605440629006.jpg)
Wearing a purple velvet protective face covering, the Prince of Wales waves to onlookers as he leaves the Hotel Adlon in Berlin for the ceremony
![Camilla dressed all in black for the occasion and wore a face mask adorned in poppies as a tribute to the war dead](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/11/15/11/35695316-8950671-Camilla_dressed_all_in_black_for_the_occasion_and_wore_a_face_ma-a-19_1605439248937.jpg)
Camilla dressed all in black for the occasion and wore a face mask adorned in poppies as a tribute to the war dead
![President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Buedenbender at his official residence at Bellevue Palace, Berlin](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/11/15/11/35695318-8950671-image-a-28_1605439824655.jpg)
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Buedenbender at his official residence at Bellevue Palace, Berlin
![Prince Charles arrives for a meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Bellevue Palace in Berlin](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/11/15/11/35695312-8950671-image-a-30_1605439845311.jpg)
Prince Charles arrives for a meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Bellevue Palace in Berlin
![Charles is expected to deliver speech urging UK and Germany to 'act together' to fight the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and threat of climate change](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/11/15/11/35695284-8950671-Charles_is_expected_to_deliver_speech_urging_UK_and_Germany_to_a-a-17_1605439248933.jpg)
Charles is expected to deliver speech urging UK and Germany to ‘act together’ to fight the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and threat of climate change
![The foursome, all donning face masks, posed for a socially distanced picture outside the 18th century building which is the principal official residence of the Federal President of Germany](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/11/15/11/35695306-8950671-image-a-32_1605439864715.jpg)
The foursome, all donning face masks, posed for a socially distanced picture outside the 18th century building which is the principal official residence of the Federal President of Germany
The prince is expected to say: ‘We must be resolute in addressing acts of unspeakable cruelty against people for reasons of their religion, their race or their beliefs, wherever they occur in the world.
‘We must stand alongside each other in determined defence of the future we owe our children and our grandchildren.’
It’s the first time a member of the Royal Family has attended the sombre occasion and is the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall’s first joint official overseas visit since the pandemic began. The event aims to reflect the importance of British-German ties amid ongoing Brexit tensions.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. The invitation to Prince Charles to give a speech at the ceremony is intended to shine a light on British-German relations.
Charles will also use the speech to indicate the need for collaboration across the globe to fight Covid-19 and speak about the threat of climate change, reports the Mirror.
![Prince Charles and his wife Camilla sign the guest book before a conversation at Bellevue Palace in Berlin this morning](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/11/15/11/35695896-8950671-image-a-55_1605440680999.jpg)
Prince Charles and his wife Camilla sign the guest book before a conversation at Bellevue Palace in Berlin this morning
![Charles will also use his speech to indicate the need for collaboration across the globe to fight Covid-19 and speak about the threat of climate change](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/11/15/11/35695296-8950671-image-a-39_1605439899030.jpg)
![Charles will also use his speech to indicate the need for collaboration across the globe to fight Covid-19 and speak about the threat of climate change](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/11/15/11/35695294-8950671-image-m-38_1605439895359.jpg)
Charles will also use his speech to indicate the need for collaboration across the globe to fight Covid-19 and speak about the threat of climate change
![It's the first time a member of the Royal Family has attended the sombre occasion and is the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall's first joint official overseas visit since the pandemic began](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/11/15/11/35695286-8950671-image-a-41_1605439930851.jpg)
It’s the first time a member of the Royal Family has attended the sombre occasion and is the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall’s first joint official overseas visit since the pandemic began
![German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and First Lady Elke Buedenbender pose on the steps of Bellevue palace with Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall on Germany's National Day of Mourning that commemorates victims of war and fascism](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/11/15/11/35695300-8950671-image-a-43_1605439942091.jpg)
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and First Lady Elke Buedenbender pose on the steps of Bellevue palace with Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall on Germany’s National Day of Mourning that commemorates victims of war and fascism
He is expected to explain that the ‘challenges’ to our future are manifest, ‘whether from this dreadful pandemic which threatens not just our public health but our prosperity and security; or from the existential threat to our planet, and our way of life, from climate change and catastrophic biodiversity loss.
‘These crises demand that we act together, and the partnership between the United Kingdom and Germany offers such a vital opportunity in this regard.
‘We are heavily invested in each other’s futures, such that our national interests, whilst distinct, will always be entwined.
‘As our countries begin this new chapter in our long history, let us reaffirm our bond for the years ahead.
![Prince Charles and Camilla's last visit to Germany was in May 2019. The royal has travelled to the country more than 30 times since 1962, both on official visits and personal trips](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/11/15/11/35695310-8950671-image-m-48_1605440408993.jpg)
![Prince Charles and Camilla's last visit to Germany was in May 2019. The royal has travelled to the country more than 30 times since 1962, both on official visits and personal trips](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/11/15/11/35695270-8950671-image-a-49_1605440413522.jpg)
Prince Charles and Camilla’s last visit to Germany was in May 2019. The royal has travelled to the country more than 30 times since 1962, both on official visits and personal trips
‘Let us reflect on all that we have been through together, and all that we have learned. Let us remember all victims of war, tyranny and persecution; those who laid down their lives for the freedoms we cherish, and those who struggle for these freedoms to this day.’
The German National Day of Mourning takes place every year two Sundays before advent. It began in 1919 to remember the fallen of the First World War.
This year, President Steinmeier changed the official text for the ceremony to include victims of political, racist, terrorist and anti-Semitic attacks in Germany in recent years.
Prince Charles and Camilla’s last visit to Germany was in May 2019. The royal has travelled to the country more than 30 times since 1962, both on official visits and personal trips.