By Isabel Pfannkuche, Danilo Gladow and Stefan Peter
The British King Charles III. (74) is approachable and super casual. BZ accompanied him throughout the day.
10.20 a.m. In his short-term residence – the Hotel Adlon – King Charles signed the Golden Book of Berlin! Also present: the (still) governing mayor Franziska Giffey (44, SPD).
10:35 a.m. Short detour to the Chancellery to see Olaf Scholz (64, SPD). At the weekly market on Wittenbergplatz in Schöneberg (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays), visitors are being checked by the police – Charles is also expected here.
Quickly across the market! Camilla and the (still) ruling Franziska Giffey (44, SPD) Photo: Christian Lohse
11.10 a.m. After Giffey and Camilla (75), Charles arrives at Wittenbergplatz. Around the king and his wife: masses of people! Everyone wants to shake his hand. And many succeed!
A woman says to BZ: “He had a very warm hand.”
Charles is completely down-to-earth and cool, chatting and laughing. A real citizen king! Giffey is also enthusiastic, says: “It was totally impressive how much sympathy the royal couple had. A real dip in the crowd!”
King Charles (74) is given a bottle – presumably apple juice – at the weekly market on Wittenbergplatz. His wife Camilla (75) is happy
Photo: Christian Lohse
Charles takes a piece of the so-called conference pear (very sweet, 3.50 euros per kilo) from fruit grower Carsten Hübner (55) from Werder an der Havel – which then ends up in a basket. “He said he’ll eat them later,” says the fruit grower.
Fruit farmer Carsten Hübner (55) from Werder an der Havel: “I shook hands with Charles, it was very soft. He took a piece of the conference pear with him – it tastes very sweet. He wanted to eat them later” Photo: Christian Lohse
Charles also lingers longer over wild garlic cheese and smoked fish. “He was very impressed by the cheese!” says Giffey. After half an hour, the royal couple made their way across the market to their armored Bentley.
Charles also stopped at the wild garlic stand of Axel Kaiser (67). But he didn’t want to eat a piece of bread with wild garlic butter Photo: Christian Lohse
11:45 a.m. King Charles delivers a charming speech to the Bundestag.
12.50 p.m. Visiting the Tegel arrival center: Charles speaks to Ukrainian refugees – accompanied by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (67, SPD).
2.40 p.m. Enough Berlin, now it’s off to Brandenburg! In Finowfurt (Barnim district), the king met the Brandenburg Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke (61, SPD) and inspected the German-British Engineer Bridge Battalion.
Charles visits the German-British Pioneer Bridge Battalion in Finowfurt with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (67, SPD) and Brandenburg Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke (61, SPD). Photo: EPA
Meanwhile, his wife Camilla is visiting the Komische Oper. Also present: Steinmeier’s wife Elke Büdenbender (61).
3.30 p.m. Charles’ last appointment: He visits the small eco-village Brodowin (about 400 inhabitants) in the pouring rain and, wearing a white coat, helps out with the cheese production in the dairy. There is even a crown from master confectioner Anja Neumann – as a cake.
And this time Charles, for once, tries a piece directly.