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The King pledged to “strengthen the connections” between the UK and Germany at a state banquet in Berlin.

The state dinner took place at Schloss Bellevue, the official residence of the German president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who is hosting the event.

In the first state banquet speech of his reign, Charles paid tribute to the “enduring value” of the two countries’ relationship and stressed he was “utterly convinced” the bond between them “will grow ever stronger”.

His Majesty addressed guests in both English and German praising the two countries’ shared values of “promoting global health, net zero and protecting our shared democratic values”.

He paid tribute to Germany’s “extraordinary generosity” in hosting over a million Ukrainian refugees.

The King even got a laugh at the white-tie event when he referenced a British comedy sketch called “Dinner For One” which is hugely popular in Germany.

In it an elderly aristocrat dines alone while her waiter gets progressively more drunk as he consumes alcohol poured for her non-existent guests.

It has become a tradition to watch the 18 minute sketch on New Year’s Eve in Germany.

King Charles with Angela Merkel. Pic: AP
Image:
King Charles with Angela Merkel. Pic: AP

President Steinmeier in his speech noted that Britain began the process of leaving the EU on 29 March 2017.

“For me personally, this was a sad day,” he said. “Today, exactly six years later, we open a new chapter.”

Mr Steinmeier paid tribute to Charles’ mother Elizabeth, stressing how much she had done to foster German-British ties.

“Your family stands for continuity, for stability, particularly in times of change,” he said, noting that Charles, too, had visited Germany more than 40 times as a prince.

Former chancellor Angela Merkel and Foreign Secretary James Cleverly also attended the event, taking place in the Tiergarten district of the German capital.

Britain's King Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort, attend a state banquet with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Buedenbender at Bellevue Palace, in Berlin,
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King Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort, with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Budenbender
The King with German President Steinmeier
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The King with German President Steinmeier
The Queen Consort with the president's wife, Elke Buedenbender
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The Queen Consort with the president’s wife, Elke Budenbender

The Queen Consort was wearing a tiara and bracelet that belonged to her mother-in-law Queen Elizabeth for the event.

It was rumoured that some of the King’s German cousins were invited to the event, including Prince Donatus of Hesse, who dined with the late Queen when she visited Frankfurt during a 2015 state visit with the Duke of Edinburgh.

Others tipped to attend included Prince Baden Bernhard, who attended Prince Philip’s funeral in 2021, and his father Prince Ludwig of Baden.

Former chancellor Angela Merkel attended the event
Image:
Former chancellor Angela Merkel attended the event

Earlier President Steinmeier praised the King’s green “convictions” and thanked him for choosing to visit Germany for his first state visit as monarch.

In a speech he said: “I am grateful that King Charles III began to champion healthy nutrition, sustainability and climate action very early on. We are all benefiting today from Your Majesty’s convictions.”

He added: “This visit, Your Majesty’s very first trip abroad as the new King, is a tremendous personal gesture – and for that I would like to express my heartfelt thanks.

“I am looking forward to the coming days and to the many opportunities we will have to exchange views.”

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and his wife Susannah also attended
Image:
The Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and his wife Susannah also attended

The couple began their trip by arriving at Berlin’s Brandenburg Airport at about 1pm UK time, and visited the Brandenburg Gate, the first time the landmark has been used to welcome any visiting head of state.

The King took time to greet individuals who were waiting at the gate and spoke to a group of girls who had recently visited London, and a schoolchild who he asked: “No school today?”

During the visit, the King will head to the Presidential Palace, where he will learn what Germany is doing to highlight causes such as sustainability, hear about the support Germany are providing to Ukraine, and address the German parliament, speaking in both English and German.

Pic:AP
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Charles and Camilla, with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Budenbender at Brandenburg Gate. Pic:AP
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier shakes hands with Britain's King Charles
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President Steinmeier shakes hands with the King
King Charles. Pic: AP
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Pic: AP

The royal couple were due to travel to Germany from France for a state visit but French President Emmanuel Macron asked for the trip to be postponed following a night of violent protests after his pension reforms.

Fly-past of fighter jets as King and Queen Consort say trip is ‘great joy’

As the ministerial plane Voyager approached the airport, it was escorted by two Typhoon jets, a mark of respect to the King.

Britain's King Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort arrive at Berlin Brandenburg Airport 'Willy Brandt' in Berlin, Germany, March 29, 2023. REUTERS/Michele Tantussi
Voyager plane
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Voyager plane

They were then greeted by a 21-gun salute and a fly-past of two fighter jets after pausing at the top of the plane’s steps. At the bottom, the royals were greeted by a line of dignitaries including the British ambassador to Germany, Jill Gallard, and the state secretary Dorte Dinger.

A visit full of firsts for a head of state

Touching down in Berlin there was little doubt this is a significant visit.

A 21-gun salute and flypast greeted the King and Queen Consort as they stepped off the plane.

And then at the Brandenburg Gate a full ceremonial welcome.

No other head of state has been given this honour.

The monument, once a place of German division, is now a symbol of unity.

Which very much represents the diplomatic message underpinning the trip.

This is the King’s 29th official visit to Germany, but the first state visit of his reign.

The fact a close European neighbour was chosen says a lot.

It is a chance to put aside the turbulent frictions of Brexit, and renew relationships.

An opportunity to focus on common Anglo-German interests, such as the war in Ukraine and the climate crisis, both issues close to the King.

Of course, the State Visit wasn’t supposed to start in Berlin, but political protests in France mean Germany is now playing host.

The country is pulling out the stops during the three day visit. The King and Queen Consort are guests of honour at a white tie State Banquet.

And another first for the King will be when he addresses the German Parliament, something no other British monarch has done.

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In a joint statement posted to Twitter, the King and Queen Consort said it was a “great joy” to be able to develop the “longstanding friendship” between the two nations.

King Charles. Pic: AP
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The King signs the guest book with Queen Consort. Pic: AP

“Ahead of our first state visit to Germany, we are very much looking forward to meeting all of those who make this country so special,” the statement read.

People line up in front of Brandenburg Gate
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People wait to greet the King and Queen Consort at the Brandenburg Gate

They will leave Berlin and travel to Hamburg on Friday.

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Man and boy arrested on suspicion of arson after restaurant fire leaves two in critical condition

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Man and boy arrested on suspicion of arson after restaurant fire leaves two in critical condition

A 54-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy have been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life after a restaurant fire in east London on Friday.

Three people were taken to hospital in a life-threatening condition after the fire at the Indian Aroma in Ilford.

Two remained in a critical condition on Sunday morning, according to the Metropolitan Police.

The restaurant suffered extensive damage in the blaze.

Two further victims are thought to have left the scene before officers arrived, Scotland Yard said.

Woodford Avenue from above. Pic: UK News and Pictures
Image:
Woodford Avenue from above. Pic: UK News and Pictures

Police are still trying to identify them.

CCTV footage seen by the PA news agency appears to show a group of people wearing face coverings walk into the restaurant and pour liquid on the floor.

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Seconds later, the inside of the restaurant is engulfed in flames.

“While we have made two arrests, our investigation continues at pace so we can piece together what happened on Friday evening,” said the Met Police’s DCI Mark Rogers.

“I know the community [is] concerned and shocked by this incident.

The moment the fire broke out.
Image:
The moment the fire broke out.

“I would urge anyone with any information or concerns to come forward and speak to police.”

Hospital porter Edward Thawe went to help after hearing screams from his nearby home.

He described the scene as “horrible” and “more than scary and the sort of thing that you don’t want to look at twice.”

He said: “I heard screaming and people saying they had called the police.”

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The 43-year-old said he saw a woman and a severely burned man who may have been customers.

Another witness, who did not want to be named, said he saw three “severely burned” people being doused by the emergency services and given oxygen.

“I can only imagine the pain they were going through,” he said.

On Saturday, the London Ambulance Service told Sky News: “We sent resources to the scene, including ambulance crews, an advanced paramedic, an incident response officer and paramedics from our hazardous area response team.

“We treated five people for burns and smoke inhalation. We took two patients to a major trauma centre and three others to local hospitals.”

The police investigation is continuing.

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Fast-track asylum appeals process to be introduced – as average time for decisions is more than one year

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Fast-track asylum appeals process to be introduced - as average time for decisions is more than one year

A new fast-track asylum appeals process will be introduced to speed up the process of deporting people without a right to remain in the UK, the home secretary has said.

As it currently takes, on average, more than a year to reach a decision on asylum appeals, the government plans to set up a new independent panel focused on asylum appeals to help reduce the backlog.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said “completely unacceptable” delays in the appeals process left failed asylum seekers in the system for years.

There are about 51,000 asylum appeals waiting to be heard.

The new independent body will use professionally-trained adjudicators, rather than relying on judges.

Ministers are introducing a new 24-week deadline for the first-tier tribunal to determine asylum appeals by those receiving accommodation support and appeals by foreign offenders.

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But they believe the current tribunal system, which covers a wide range of different cases, is still failing to ensure failed asylum seekers can be returned as swiftly as possible, nor can it accommodate a fast-track system for safe countries.

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It comes amid protests about the use of hotel accommodation for migrants.

The home secretary said the overhaul would result in a system which is “swift, fair and independent, with high standards in place”.

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She said: “We inherited an asylum system in complete chaos with a soaring backlog of asylum cases and a broken appeals system with thousands of people in the system for years on end.

“That is why we are taking practical steps to fix the foundations and restore control and order to the system.

“We are determined to substantially reduce the number of people in the asylum system as part of our plan to end asylum hotels.

“Already since the election, we have reduced the backlog of people waiting for initial decisions by 24% and increased failed asylum returns by 30%.

“But we cannot carry on with these completely unacceptable delays in appeals as a result of the system we have inherited which mean that failed asylum seekers stay in the system for years on end at huge cost to the taxpayer.”

Official figures released earlier this month showed a total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.

‘Waving immigrants through even faster will not fix the problem’

Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said: “I think this goes nowhere near far enough.

“The underlying rights, which allows most illegal immigrants to stay here, are not changing. Simply waving illegal immigrants through even faster to full housing and welfare rights will not fix the problem.”

Chris Philp
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Chris Philp

He added: “Immigration judges will still apply ever expanding common-sense defying definitions of ECHR rights to allow foreign criminals and illegal immigrants to stay here.”

But the Liberal Democrats have been more positive in their response, with shadow attorney general, Ben Maguire, saying: “A faster application process would mean that those with no right to be here are sent back swiftly and those who do have a valid claim can get a job, integrate and contribute to the community.”

Asked for his thoughts on the policy, immigration lawyer Harjap Singh Bhangal told Sky News that it “definitely sounds like some sort of solution”.

He pointed that the backlog of asylum seekers waiting for a decision is “huge”, around 51,000 people – and that during this time, they are not allowed to work.

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A new fast-track asylum appeals process will be introduced to speed up the process of deporting people without a right to remain in the UK.

He said: “The equivalent would be saying that imagine if A-level students this year sat the exams and were told ‘well, hold on, you’re not going to get your results for two years’ time. But in the meantime, you can’t go to university.’

“You’d have mayhem, and it’d be pandemonium in the street. You’d have broken people idle with nothing to do. Essentially, this is what’s happening to asylum seekers.”

He added that one of the reasons it takes so long for cases to be heard is because asylum seekers have to represent themselves in court, which can mean upwards of half a day is spent translating and explaining everything to them.

Mr Bhangal also said the immigration system is “broken”, because “they take ages to make a decision which could be made in one week”.

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Family pay tribute to ‘beloved’ man who died in ‘accident while working on fairground ride’

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Family pay tribute to 'beloved' man who died in 'accident while working on fairground ride'

A man who died after suffering “serious head injuries” while “working on a fairground ride” has been named as Corrie Lee Stavers.

Emergency services were called to the Spanish City Summer Funfair in Whitley Bay in North Tyneside after reports that a man, in his 20s, had been injured around 2.15pm on Saturday, police said.

Mr Stavers, 28, was treated at the scene but was declared dead a short time later.

In a statement issued by the police, his family said: “It’s with broken hearts that we share the devastating news that our beloved Corrie has passed away.

“He was tragically taken from us in an accident while working on a fairground ride. None of us were prepared for this, and the pain of losing him so suddenly is impossible to put into words.

“Our lives will never be the same without him, but his memory will live on in our hearts forever.

“We love you endlessly Corrie, and we miss you more than words can ever say.

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“You’re with our mam now – rest in peace Corrie.”

The funfair, which is in Whitley Bay’s Spanish City Plaza area, has been shut “until further notice” and the Health and Safety Executive has been informed.

The annual funfair had opened on Thursday and had been due to run until Bank Holiday Monday.

Read more from Sky News:
Man and boy arrested after restaurant fire
Fast-track asylum appeals process to be introduced

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “Emergency services attended and a man in his 20s was found to have suffered serious head injuries.

“Despite the best efforts of medical staff, a short time later the man was sadly declared dead.

“His next of kin have been contacted and are being supported by specialist officers.”

The spokesman added: “Our thoughts are with the man’s family at this extremely difficult time.

“We have contacted the Health and Safety Executive and are working with them to establish exactly what happened.

“The fair has been closed to the public and will remain closed until further notice.”

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