At a formal reception in Berlin in honor of the first visit of the British monarch, King Charles III expressed his support for Ukraine and assured that Great Britain and Germany "stand together" to "protect freedom and sovereignty", writes DW.

 King Charles III paid tribute to Germany's "extraordinary hospitality" to Ukrainian refugees during his first state visit as monarch. Great Britain and Germany are united with Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion, the British monarch said.

 "We stand side by side, protecting and promoting our common democratic values. This is so clearly evident today, when together with Ukraine we stand in defense of freedom and sovereignty in the face of unprovoked aggression," he said at a reception organized by the President of the Federal Republic of Germany Frank Walter Steinmeier.

 In his toast at the official dinner, which he delivered partly in German, the king promised to strengthen ties.

 Charles III arrived in Berlin on Wednesday, March 29, with the Queen Consort. Germany was King Charles' first foreign visit during his reign and the first visit by a British monarch since the late Queen Elizabeth II's state visit in 2015. The trip was due to start on Sunday in France, but the first leg was canceled due to strikes and civil unrest in the country over President Emmanuel Macron's pension reform.

 Karl will address the Bundestag, Germany's parliament, on Thursday. He will then meet with some Ukrainian refugees who have found refuge in Germany from the Russian invasion of their homeland.

 The following day, the King and Queen Consort will travel to Hamburg, where they will visit the St. Nicholas Memorial, a church that was heavily damaged by Allied bombing during World War II. While there, the King and the President of Germany will lay wreaths in a short memorial ceremony.