German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Budenbender are set to receive accolades at a prestigious banquet held at Windsor Castle tonight, marking their three-day state visit to the UK.
In line with tradition, a select group of chefs has meticulously crafted a menu in French, reflecting the honored guests’ home country. The exquisite meal for President Steinmeier and distinguished attendees at St George’s Hall commences with an appetizer of an open tartlet featuring hot smoked trout, langoustines, quail eggs, and shellfish sauce.
The main course showcases a Windsor Partridge Supreme encased in puff pastry with confit cabbage and Port sauce. Complementing this dish are crushed carrots with swede and an array of seasonal vegetables. To conclude the culinary experience, guests will indulge in Baked Alaska accompanied by blackberry, vanilla, and raspberry ice creams, followed by coffee and Petit Fours. A special cocktail inspired by a Black Forest gateau has been introduced for the occasion, along with the vintage Château La Fleur-Pétrus, Pomerol, 1995 wine, symbolizing the year of the President and First Lady’s nuptials.
Comparatively, the menu for the US President, Donald Trump, during his state visit in September featured a Hampshire watercress panna cotta with parmesan shortbread and quail egg salad as a starter. The main course comprised organic Norfolk chicken ballotine wrapped in courgettes, served with a thyme and savoury infused jus, followed by a vanilla ice cream bombe with Kentish raspberry sorbet interior and lightly poached Victoria plums for dessert, accompanied by a selection of handpicked wines.
The German state visit commenced earlier today with a warm welcome from the Prince and Princess of Wales at Heathrow airport. Following formal introductions, the President and First Lady were escorted in a ceremonial carriage procession through the streets of Windsor alongside the King and Queen, guarded by ceremonial troops from various branches of the British Armed Forces.
The grand procession culminated at the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle, where the President reviewed the troops accompanied by the King to the tune of ‘Marsch des Yorck’schen Korps’ by Beethoven. This state visit signifies the first hosting of a German President in 27 years and only the fifth from Germany since 1958. Notably, it marks the third inbound state visit for King Charles this year, following previous visits from French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump.