King Charles III manages to win hearts during Germany visit

King Charles III won plenty of hearts during his three-day visit to Germany, his first foreign trip since ascending to throne following death of his mor, Elizabeth II, last year.

Charles' tour saw a number of firsts that show importance both countries placed on it — at a time when London and Berlin are trying to rebuild relations frayed by Britain's departure from European Union.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier took unprecedented step of welcoming Charles and Camilla, queen consort, at Brandenburg Gate with military hors Wednesday. A day later, Charles became first monarch to dress Bundestag , German parliament, stressing long-standing close ties between both countries and importance of future co-operation.

Observers in both Germany and U.K. said trip sent a strong signal about enduring strength of British-German relations.

Jens Zimmermann, a lawmaker from Germany's center-left Social Democrats, said Charles sent a “clear mess” by speaking to parliament partially in German.

" speech in Bundestag was very well-received," Zimmermann told Associated Press. “It was much more political than you might have expected. It was very connecting — I think that was very good.”

In speech, Charles emphasized that London and Berlin have provided considerable aid to Ukraine in its efforts to fend off Russia’s invasion — praise that will have been gratifying to a German government more used to claims it's t doing eugh to help Kyiv. Zimmermann said Charles thanking Germans for taking in so many Ukrainians seeking shelter from war might also be seen as a roundabout criticism of British government's recent anti-refugee policies.

Although King Charles cant pass legislation or directly impact British policy, “soft power” of his visit should t be underestimated, Zimmermann said.

Ors said that after pandemic's long-distance diplomacy, in-person visits like Charles' can help deepen and renew relationships between leers.

“I think as coronavirus has fed, we’ve been reminded of value of face-to-face meetings,” said Bronwen Mdox, chief executive of Chatham House think tank.

“And it just does d something to relationships, particularly between hes of state, who are very insulated," she said. "I think it has been received very well.”

Charles originally planned to visit France first , but anti-government protests re led both governments to postpone that part of his trip. new itinerary put focus on Germany, where Charles has family roots and royals have long been subject of keen interest.

That fascination was on display among German public at Charles' appearances. Despite wet and cold spring wear, well-wishers waited patiently to greet Charles and Camilla at ir stops in Berlin and Hamburg, a city that sees itself as having a particularly close connection to Britain due to its long seafaring and tring ties.

Charles and Camilla also laid a wreath at remains of St. Nikolai church to commemorate more than 30,000 people, mostly German civilians, who were killed in Operation Gomorrah, Allied bombing of Hamburg in July 1943. A boat trip and a farewell reception involving musical performances, including by a Beatles cover band and a sea shanty group, rounded off king’s visit on Friday.

Michael Kruse, a lawmaker with pro-business Free Democrats who like Zimmermann is a member of German-British parliamentary group, said two countries continue to have many common ecomic interests despite Britain's divorce from EU.

“ channel has widened due to Brexit ,” he said. “That's why visit by Britain's he of state was all more important,” he ded.

Kruse voiced a hope shared by many in Germany, that London will find its way back into 27-nation bloc.

“My hope is still that British will someday recognize Brexit was a mistake and return to EU,” he said. “ door should always be open for this. Until n, we say: see you again, King Charles III,” he ded.