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The Prince of Wales will emphasize the need for Britain and Germany to “reaffirm our bond for years to come” during a historic trip to Berlin as tense Brexit talks continue.
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall will attend the central commemoration ceremony in Berlin tomorrow to mark the annual national day of mourning, at the request of the British government, following an invitation from the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
It will be the first time that a member of the British Royal Family has attended the ceremony.
A photo of Prince Charles in Scotland was posted for his 72nd birthday
The visit and speech can be seen as a taste of how the UK government still wishes to be seen as extending the hand of friendship to its EU neighbors as trade talks on Brexit continue.
The prince will say: “As our countries begin this new chapter in our long history, let us reaffirm our bond for years to come.
“Let’s reflect on everything we’ve been through together and everything we’ve learned.
“Let us remember all the victims of war, tyranny and persecution – those who gave their lives for the freedoms we hold dear and those who fight for these freedoms to this day.
“They inspire us to fight for a better tomorrow; let’s make this our common cause.”
He will also reflect on the shared interests and goals of the two countries, including climate change and the fight against racial and religious hatred.
Prince to encourage Germany and UK to ‘act together’
Prince Charles will add: “We must be resolute in addressing acts of unspeakable cruelty against people on the basis of religion, race or belief, anywhere in the world.
“We must stand alongside each one in the determined defense of the future that we owe to our children and grandchildren.
“The challenges for that future are manifest, either because of this terrible pandemic that threatens not only our public health but also our prosperity and security; or because of the existential threat to our planet and our way of life, due to climate change and the catastrophic biodiversity loss.
“These crises demand that we act together, and the UK-German partnership offers a vital opportunity in this regard.
“We are very interested in the future of others, so that our national interests, although different, will always be intertwined.”
The royal couple flew to Berlin in the freshly painted RAF Voyager
The prince, who is celebrating his 72nd birthday today, and Camilla flew to Germany tonight on RAF Voyager, wearing their new Union flag color scheme.
It is a rare visit abroad for members of the Royal Family this year.
The regular overseas tour schedule has been canceled for the past nine months due to COVID-19.
Prince Charles and Camilla will attend the wreath-laying ceremony at the Neue Wache Memorial, before joining the Central Memorial Ceremony in the German parliament, where the prince will deliver his speech.
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It comes after a week of ongoing Brexit negotiations in London. Talks on a free trade agreement were put on “pause” over the weekend before resuming next week in Brussels.
While several deadlines have been met, there is growing concern that if an agreement cannot be reached in the next few days, it will be too late to implement it before January 1.
The national day of mourning in Germany this year focuses on German-British friendship and how it has grown since the end of World War II.
The event honors the Allies’ commitment to liberation from Nazi occupation and the reconstruction, redemocratization and subsequent reunification of Germany. It also remembers all the victims of war and tyranny.
