King Charles III has openly described the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine as a threat to Europe’s democratic values in the first speech made by a monarch at the German parliament, however, stated that allies like Germany and Britain can draw courage from their unity.
Speaking mostly in German through the 30-minute speech published on Thursday, Charles underlined that ‘the scourge of war is back in Europe, the war of aggression against Ukraine has brought unimaginable suffering on so many innocent people.’
‘The security of Europe as well as our democratic values are under threat. But the world did not stand idly by… we can draw courage from our unity,’ he added.
Charles is on his first state visit since ascending the throne following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II last year, and his choice to travel to Germany has been viewed as a bid to build bridges following Brexit.
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In Germany, the themes of reconciliation and a future ahead forged by common values have featured prominently in his speeches.
Charles has blood ties to Germany, but the two countries had fought on opposing ends during two devastating world wars.
Speaking at the Bundestag on Thursday, he pointed to how far Britain and his hosts’ country had come in putting behind their conflict-ridden past as he underlined the common values they now share.
‘Together we must be vigilant against threats to our values’ and face them down resolutely, he said.
On Friday, Charles will take a further step in rapprochement by commemorating victims of allied bombings during World War II in Hamburg.
Charles’ mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, had been a symbol of post-war reconciliation.
It was World War I that had led the British royal family to drop their German name — Saxe-Coburg and Gotha — for Windsor.
The war in Ukraine is a key part of Charles’ programme on Thursday afternoon, with a visit of a reception centre for Ukrainian refugees right after the Bundestag speech.
He will also travel to neighbouring state Brandenburg where he will speak with a German-British battalion.