Coventry Cathedral: German President to visit West Midlands city today to commemorate Coventry Blitz - alongside Prince Edward
The German President is visiting the city of Coventry in the West Midlands today to commemorate a World War Two bombing site.
Germany’s president will be laying a wreath today (Friday 5 December) alongside his wife at Coventry Cathedral. Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Elke Budenbender will visit the ruins on Friday as part of a three-day state visit hosted by the King and Queen.
The Duke of Kent Prince Edward will accompany Mr Steinmeier and Ms Budenbender to lay a wreath at the old cathedral before carrying out a tour of the new one.
Mr Steinmeier's state visit is the first by a German leader in 27 years. This year marked the 85th anniversary of the Coventry Blitz in November 1940, during World War 2, in which 568 people were killed and 4,300 homes destroyed.
A prayer service will be held to highlight the church's commitment to peace and reconciliation. The last German state visit took place in 1998 when Queen Elizabeth II hosted president Roman Herzog at Windsor Castle.
On Wednesday, King Charles welcomed Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Büdenbender, with a warm handshake before bundling them into a horse-drawn carriage for the ride to Windsor Castle, where a military band played the national anthems of both countries and Steinmeier inspected the assembled troops. Steinmeier also held talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, laid a wreath at the tomb of the late Queen Elizabeth II and addressed Parliament.