In a landmark address to Parliament during the first German head of state visit in 27 years, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier masterfully blended diplomatic messaging with British pop culture references. Drawing parallels to Oasis’s recent reconciliation after years of fraternal discord, Steinmeier declared that Germany and the UK have moved beyond the initial “disappointment and uncertainty” of Brexit.
Addressing MPs and peers in the Royal Gallery on Thursday, the German leader quoted the Manchester band’s anthem ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ to underscore his message of forward-looking cooperation. “I think that is typically British, keep calm and carry on – look ahead pragmatically, move on,” Steinmeier remarked, praising Britain’s pragmatic approach to post-EU relations.
The presidential visit, which began with a ceremonial welcome by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle, has been carefully choreographed to highlight evolving bilateral ties. Historical symbolism permeated the itinerary, from viewing Queen Victoria’s sleigh (designed by her German-born husband Prince Albert) to laying a wreath at Westminster Abbey’s Grave of the Unknown Warrior.
Cultural diplomacy featured prominently as Steinmeier and his wife Elke Budenbender toured the V&A Museum’s archives, including David Bowie’s costumes—a nod to the musician’s deep connections with Berlin. The President’s schedule also included meetings with German footballers in the Premier League and plans to receive an honorary degree from Oxford University.
The visit culminates symbolically on Friday with a trip to Coventry Cathedral, bombed by the Luftwaffe during World War II, mirroring King Charles’s earlier wreath-laying in Hamburg for civilian bombing victims. This reciprocal acknowledgment of historical wounds underscores both nations’ commitment to what Steinmeier called enduring affection: “Our relations may have changed, but, my dear Britons, our love remains.”