King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales have welcomed the German president to the UK for the first state visit in 27 years.
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Budenbender were given a ceremonial royal reception in Windsor, with marching bands and a carriage ride to the castle.
Such state visits are about projecting soft power and building relationships, and the three-day visit will see a mix of pageantry, politics and cultural ties.
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