Sean CoughlanRoyal correspondent, Windsor
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The Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales attended the banquet during the first German state visit for 27 years
King Charles has hosted German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at a glittering, Christmassy state banquet at Windsor Castle.
Among the famous guests on Wednesday evening were model Claudia Schiffer – who sat next to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer – film composer Hans Zimmer and violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter.
The banquet was attended by 152 guests, including politicians, business leaders and celebrities, in a seasonally-decorated St George’s Hall, with a 20ft (6m) Christmas tree covered in thousands of lights.
In his speech, King Charles spoke directly about the need for Western allies to stand up for Ukraine against Russia’s invasion.
Watch: Royals welcome German president on first UK state visit
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Model Claudia Schiffer, pictured beside the prime minister during a toast, was among the notable guests with connections to Germany
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Steinmeier and his wife attended the event at the end of the first day of their visit
“The United Kingdom and Germany together stand with Ukraine and bolster Europe against the threat of further Russian aggression,” the King told the banquet.
Such speeches are written with the advice of government ministers – and this was delivered against the background of international negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
In response, Steinmeier said Germany was “side by side in support of Ukraine”.
In his speech he mentioned that the Christmas tree was originally a German tradition, appearing for the first time in the UK in Windsor in 1800, brought by Queen Charlotte, the German wife of George III.
Senior royals were in attendance, including Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Princess Royal and the Duke of Duchess of Edinburgh, at the first German state visit for 27 years.
Catherine wore one of Queen Victoria’s tiaras, made of diamonds and rubies and designed by her husband, the German-born Prince Albert.
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Steinmeier and the King were pictured with guests ahead of the banquet on Wednesday evening
Reuters
Steinmeier shared a toast with the princess, who wore a tiara designed by the German-born Prince Albert
In a speech delivered in both English and German, the King sp
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