Prince Charles says Britain's bond with Germany will remain strong after Brexit as he and the Duchess of Cornwall become the first British royals to attend country's Day of Mourning
Prince Charles reaffirmed 'the fundamental bond' between the UK and Germany and called for the two nations to 'always be friends' during a historic speech inside Germany's parliament today as post-Brexit talks continued.
The Prince of Wales praised the bonds of friendship between the two nations and said politicians and officials may be negotiating the 'shape' of Britain and Germany's relationship but its 'essence' was down to the 'connection' between its people.
The royal's speech, which were his most direct reference to Britain's decision to leave the European Union to date, came as he and Camilla Parker Bowles became the first British royals to attend Germany's Day of Mourning remembrance ceremony in Berlin today.
Speaking in Germany's parliament or Bundestag, the prince echoed the famous words of poet John Donne when he said 'no country is really an island' and told guests the destinies of the UK and Germany would remain 'interdependent' to a 'considerable degree'.
During the poignant national event - when all victims of war and tyranny are remembered - the prince told those gathered, including Germany's president Frank-Walter Steinmeier: 'The United Kingdom has chosen a future outside the European Union, and the relationship between our countries is evolving once again.
Prince Charles delivered an impassioned speech at the Bundestag for the Central Remembrance Ceremony, marking Germany's National Day of Mourning
The prince, who delivered his speech to a socially distanced congregation at the German parliament Bundestag, praised the bonds between the UK and Germany
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall pay their respects during a wreath laying ceremony at the Neue Wache memorial to mark Remembrance Day in Berlin
During the event Prince Charles also urged the world to unite and stamp out hate crimes for the sake of future generations
'Its shape is a matter negotiated between our governments and its essence is defined by the enduring connections between our people.
'It is, therefore, my heartfelt belief that the fundamental bond between us will remain strong: we will always be friends, partners and allies.
'As our countries begin this new chapter in our long history, let us reaffirm our bond for the years ahead.'
Prince Charles had begun his speech by highlighting how he first visited Germany's capital nearly 50 years ago and Berlin was a city 'that embodies so much of the history of our continent, and all that we have been through'.
He added: 'Berlin reminds us that the fortunes of all Europeans have been dependent on one another for centuries.
'The relationships we enjoy today are built on foundations dug deep in the bedrock of our common experience, anchored by bonds running North and South, East and West, through our diverse communities and across our borders.'
The royal, who delivered large parts of his speech in German, said: 'The English poet John Donne famously wrote that 'no man is an island entire of itself. Every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main'.
'One might equally submit that no country is really an island either, other than in the wholly literal sense. Our histories bind us tightly together and our destinies, although each our own to forge, are interdependent to a considerable degree.'
The heir to the throne's speech was made as the UK's chief Brexit negotiator said a trade deal with the EU may not succeed, but he is still hopeful of a resolution as the talks go down to the wire this week.
Earlier during the day, the prince and Camilla Parker Bowles were officially welcomed by the country's president Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Budenbender at Berlin's Bellevue Palace, 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.
They then travelled to the New Guardhouse, home to the Neue Wache Central Memorial of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Victims of War and Tyranny to lay wreathes in tribute to the fallen.
The royal couple stepped forward together and touched their wreaths in the German tradition of symbolically tidying the ribbons, before a moment of silence and a solo trumpeter playing The Good Comrade.
Dressed all in black, Charles, who celebrated his 72nd birthday yesterday, wore his military medals while Camilla donned a face mask adorned in poppies.
The prince and duchess then travelled to the Bundestag for the Central Remembrance Ceremony marking Germany's National Day of Mourning, where Charles delivered a speech.
The German President attended the British Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph in 2018 where he laid a wreath.
Charles knelt to lay his wreath alongside the German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, President of the Bundestag Wolfgang Schaeuble, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the German Federal Council Reiner Haseloff and head judge of Germany's constitutional court Stephan Harbarth
The Duchess of Cornwall lays a wreath at a ceremony at the Neue Wache memorial in Berlin, Germany, today
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
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
Prince Charles is pictured paying his respects as he stands and then kneels in the Neue Wache in front of a wreath of flowers laid on behalf of Britain's Royal Family
The Duchess of Cornwall lays a posy of flowers by The Prince of Wales' Wreathe of Remembrance at the Neue Wache Central Memorial
A wreath of flowers laid by Britain's Royals is pictured prior a ceremony on the national Memorial Day at the Neue Wache in Berlin. The note reads: 'In everlasting remembrance of all victims of conflict and tyranny - Charles'
The Duchess of Cornwall wore a poppy-themed face mask while visiting the Neue Wache memorial to victims of war and tyranny
During the event, where readings were given and a minute's silence was observed, Prince Charles also urged the world to unite and stamp out hate crimes for the sake of future generations in an impassioned speech.
Removing his face mask, a different one to that he'd worn throughout the morning, the prince told a socially distanced congregation: '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.'
Coronavirus restrictions meant a small number of dignitaries, including the Duchess of Cornwall, were invited and all sat wearing masks and socially distanced in the parliamentary chamber.
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.
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall look back after visiting the Neue Wache memorial to victims of war and tyranny to commemorate the national day of mourning for the victims of war and dictatorship in Berli
The Prince of Wales looked solemn as he prepared to get up to deliver a speech for the Central Remembrance Ceremony
Removing his face mask, a different one to that he'd worn throughout the morning, the prince said: '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'
Prince Charles (left and right) gives a speech as he attends Germany's Day of Mourning remembrance ceremony today
Prince Charles walked into the plenary hall of the German lower house of parliament, Bundestag, for an official Remembrance Day ceremony while Camilla listened in to his speech, having swapped her poppy face mask for a floral alternative
The Prince of Wales made a bit of a meal out of removing his face mask as he addressed the congregation in Germany
The prince explained 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'
The royal, who celebrated his 72nd birthday yesterday, arrives for the Central Remembrance Ceremony marking Germany's National Day of Mourning
The prince and the duchess became the first British royals to attend Germany's Day of Mourning remembrance ceremony
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
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Teenager Jasleen Singh, from Bristol, who took part in a German War Graves Commission's Peace Line project which encourages young people to remember and commemorate, spoke during the ceremony, which was broadcast on German television.
She described how she went on a battlefield tour of France and Belgium with her school Bristol Grammar and visited the grave of a soldier Stanley Booker who attended her school.
She said: 'We laid a wreath for him next to his grave and it was at that moment that it really hit me that each stone represented the flesh and blood of not just a soldier - but also a father, a brother, a husband and a son.'
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 was intended to shine a light on British-German relations.
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
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
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
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall are led to sign the guest book at the presidential Bellevue palace, while President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the First Lady look on
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
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
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
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier welcomes Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales at his arrival at the presidential Bellevue palace in Berlin
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and First Lady of Germany, Elke Buedenbender, arrive carrying small bunches of flowers to lay alongside the wreaths. Pictured with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Prince Charles
The Neue Wache Central Memorial in Berlin, Germany, pictured on the National Day of Mourning, where wreaths were laid in tribute to the fallen
Prince Charles and German federal State President Frank-Walter Steinmeier leave after they laid a wreath at the Neue Wache memorial to victims of war and tyranny
Charles, pictured wearing his military medals, and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier leave after they laid wreathes at the Neue Wache memorial
The royal couple, pictured ahead of the ceremony, stepped forward together and touch their wreaths in the German tradition of symbolically tidying the ribbons
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier pay their respect during a wreath laying ceremony on national Memorial Day
Charles looked sombre as he stood and paid his respects at the ceremony to to commemorate the National Day of Mourning in Berlin
The event aims to reflect the importance of British-German ties amid ongoing Brexit tensions. Pictured: the German flag alongside the Union Jack and the European Union flag
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, in both a public and private capacity. The Duchess of Cornwall made her first official visit to Germany in 2009.
The Prince of Wales is pictures arriving for the annual wreath laying ceremony, making his way to the Neue Wache memorial to mark Remembrance Day in Berlin
Charles is pictured donning a black mask as he chats after leaving his car ahead of the annual wreath laying ceremony
Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, are seen arriving with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier for the annual wreath laying ceremony
People stand outside prior to the visit of Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall to the Bellevue Palace