Berlin, 30 March 2023 (dpa/MIA) – King Charles paid tribute to Germany for the assistance it has offered to Ukraine in a speech to the parliament in Berlin, delivered both in German and in English.

Germany's decision to provide Ukraine so much military support was "extremely courageous, significant and welcome," Charles told the Bundestag in the presence of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and the presidents of both chambers.

Britain and Germany, as the largest donors of support to Ukraine, had reacted decisively and taken decisions that would have been unimaginable previously, Charles said.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine had brought unimaginable suffering to many innocent people. "Countless lives have been destroyed ... The security of Europe has been threatened," the king said.

He began his speech in German, saying it was a "great honour to be with you today."

"It means a huge amount to me and my wife that we were invited to Germany for my first foreign visit as king."

Charles went on to speak about the trade between the two countries in the days of the Hanseatic League to cultural and other aspects.

He mentioned among other things, the Beatles and the German band Kraftwerk, the comedians of Monty Python and England's victory over Germany in the final of the 2022 European Women's Football Championship.