King Charles III visits Germany in first overseas trip as monarch

The Royals were met with with military honours in front of Brandenburg Gate, alongside the German president and his wife. (Pool: Adrian Dennis via Reuters)

King Charles III has made his first official state visit abroad to Germany, where he is set to address issues facing both countries such as sustainability and the Ukraine crisis.

The King was due to visit France last week, but widespread, violent protests against President Emmanuel Macron's pension reforms, and promise of an angry mob to greet King Charles at the gates to Versailles, meant that part of the trip was cancelled.

On the first day of the three-day visit, the King and Camilla were greeted by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier with military honours at Berlin's most famous landmark, the Brandenburg Gate.

The royal plane was escorted into Berlin by fighter jets – a mark of respect according to one of the pilots.

The King spent time speaking with members of the public who had gathered by the Brandenburg Gate to see him. (Reuters: Wolfgang Rattay)

At Schloss Bellevue castle, the official residence of Mr Steinmeier, the German President gave a speech largely focusing on "energy transition and sustainability", a particular interest to the King.

King Charles spoke of a renewable future when he addressed representatives of the Commonwealth at Westminster Abbey on Commonwealth Day.

Ms Steinmeier said the King's decision to choose Germany as his first state visit as monarch was an "important gesture for German-British relations".

"Today, on the day six years ago when Britain began its exit from the European Union, we are opening a new chapter in our relations," he said.

Mr Steinmeier said he was grateful that King Charles had involved himself with issues of climate change "early on". (Pool: Jens Schlueter via Reuters)

"Today, we friends and partners, we are looking forwards — and that's why we are starting this state visit very consciously with a topic that is decisive for our future on this planet."

King Charles and Camilla said in a joint statement, released on Twitter, it was a "great joy" to be able to develop the “longstanding friendship between our two nations”.

As head of state, the King's official visits take into account government advice surrounding the state of international relations with the UK.

King Charles's trip is widely seen as a strategic move to improve relations with European Union countries, after years of tension over Brexit.

Singling out France and Germany as destinations on the trip was seen as a signal of their importance to the UK.

The trip abroad is not just a first for Charles, but for Germany too.

For the first time in history, a British sovereign will address the Bundestag, the German parliament.

That will take place on Thursday, followed by a trip to Hamburg where he and Camilla will spend their final day in the country visiting the war memorial at St Nikolai.

ABC/wires