Germany's president gets a royal welcome at start of the first UK state visit in 27 years

LONDON (AP) — Britain’s King Charles III and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier put on a show of Anglo-Saxon unity Wednesday as their countries expand cooperation to fend off threats to European security, combat climate change and bolster economic growth.

Charles and Steinmeier — the first German head of state to make a formal state visit to Britain in 27 years — exchanged toasts during a lavish banquet at Windsor Castle, celebrating the historic ties between their nations even as they acknowledged scars of the past.

“The day after tomorrow I will travel to Coventry, a city that was reduced to rubble by German bombs during the Second World War. This year we look back on 80 years of peace between our two countries,” Steinmeier said.

“What a gift! Flourishing cities grew out of the ashes. Enemies became friends," he added. "That is our common history — and it shows what is possible when people have the courage to pursue reconciliation.”

Charles’s toast to Steinmeier was inspired by more recent history — the fall of the Berlin Wall.

“The tumultuous period of political, social and technological change that happened after that has tested our values,” he said. “Many have found that unsettling and even frightening. Fear can lead to anger and resentment. But the United Kingdom and Germany are united in a continued belief in democracy, freedom and the rule of law.''

The three-day visit comes less than four months after Britain and Germany signed a treaty pledging to deepen cooperation on a range of issues amid the threats posed by Russian aggression in Ukraine and broader challenges to democracy around the world.

The so-called Kensington Treaty is now awaiting approval from the German parliament.

While state visits are hosted by the king, they are scheduled at the request of the elected government to reward friends — and sometimes nudge reluctant partners — with the red carpet treatment only the British royal family can provide.

On Wednesday, Charles welcomed Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Büdenbender, with a warm handshake before bundling them into a horse-drawn carriage for the ride to Windsor Castle, where a military band played the national anthems of both countries and Steinmeier inspected the assembled troops.

For the banquet, Queen Camilla and the Princess of Wales donned glittering tiaras and flowing evening gowns as they escorted their guests into St. George’s Hall for a sumptuous meal served on 200-year-old silver. The hall was decorated with a 6-meter tall (nearly 20 feet) Christmas tree adorned with thousands of lights.

But the spectacle has a purpose. Britain and Germany are seeking to underscore the bonds between the two countries as they face the challenges of the war in Ukraine and U.S. President Donald Trump’s America First policies, which threaten to upend longstanding trade and security relationships.

Steinmeier visited Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday and joined roundtable of U.K. and German business leaders.

“The leaders agreed on the importance of continuing to work together to deliver a just and lasting peace for Ukraine,” Starmer’s office said after the meeting.

The visit coincided with the announcement of a 20 million pound ($27 million) electric vehicle project led by Mercedes. It aims to boost the U.K. car industry by developing an ultra-compact electric drive system for high-performance EVs.

On Thursday, the president will address Parliament and lay flowers on the tomb of the Queen Elizabeth II at St. George’s Chapel inside Windsor Castle.

On Friday, he will visit Coventry Cathedral to commemorate the Nazi bombing of the city, which killed at least 568 people and destroyed or damaged more than half of its homes on the night of Nov. 14, 1940. It was the single most concentrated attack on a British city during World War II.

The trip is designed to build on the success of Charles’ state visit to Germany in March 2023, the first such trip he made after ascending the throne. During that tour the king impressed his hosts by speaking in creditable German as he stressed long-standing ties and the importance of future cooperation between the two nations.

British and German officials hope coverage of the glittering events at Windsor Castle will help further than relationship, said Gerhard Dannemann, former head of the Centre for British Studies at Humboldt Universität in Berlin.

“It will produce wonderful pictures and these will be seen as symbols for the British public and the German public,’’ he said. “And the hope is that ... the German president can emulate,″ what Charles did in 2023.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, left, delivers a speech next to King Charles III, right, during the state banquet for the German President and his wife, at Windsor Castle, Berkshire, England, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. (Yui Mok/PA via AP, Pool)

A view of the ceremonial welcome for German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Büdenbender at Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. (Carl Court/Pool Photo via AP)

Britain's King Charles III, Queen Camilla, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Buedenbender view items on display relating to Germany, during a visit to the Royal Collection exhibition in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle, during Steinmeier's state visit to Britain, in Windsor, England, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025.(Hannah McKay/Pool Photo via AP)

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier inspects the Guard of Honour with Britain's King Charles III during the ceremonial welcome at the start of his State Visit to the United Kingdom, at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool)

On the stage from left, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Britain's King Charles III, Queen Camilla, wife of Steinmeier Elke Buedenbender, Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales, attend a welcome ceremony on the Royal Dais at Datchet Road, in Windsor, England, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. (Toby Melville/Pool Photo via AP)

Britain's Prince William, right, speaks with Germany's President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, as Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales, introduces dignitaries to his wife Elke Büdenbender, at Heathrow Airport in London, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025 (Jeff Spicer/Pool Photo via AP)

Germany's President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Büdenbender, centre, are welcomed by Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales, and Britain's Prince William, right, at Heathrow Airport in London, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025 (Jeff Spicer/Pool Photo via AP)

FILE - German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, front left, and his wife, Elke Budenbender, right, leave Westminster Abbey in London, England, Nov. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)

SEATTLE (AP) — It wasn't until Tuesday, or perhaps even as late as Wednesday's series finale against the Seattle Mariners that Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt realized just how good New York's rotation has been to start the year.

A day removed from Max Fried running his scoreless streak to 13 1/3 innings to begin the season, right-hander Cam Schlittler nearly matched the southpaw. Schlittler (2-0) yielded two hits in 6 1/3 innings and retired his last 16 batters, extending his season-opening shutout streak to 11 2/3 innings in New York's 5-3 win.

None of the Yankees' starters have given up more than one run during a 5-1 start, and the rotation has a 0.53 ERA across 33 2/3 innings.

“Hopefully we can keep that going," said Goldschmidt, who hit a three-run homer Wednesday. "They’ve been doing a great job. Really pounding the zone. Obviously our guys have good stuff. Haven’t walked too many guys, it seems like.”

Like Fried, Schlittler was simply sensational against Seattle, and he retired Mariners hitters in a variety of ways. The 25-year-old right-hander who also blanked the Giants over 5 1/3 innings last Friday relied nearly entirely on his three types of fastballs: a four-seamer, a cutter and a sinker.

“Early on, it was the four-seam. Middle of the game, it was the two-seam. And then later on, it was the cutter," Schlittler said. "So again, felt pretty strong with the game plan I had, and just attacking guys with those three pitches.”

New York manager Aaron Boone marveled at Schlittler's ability to tunnel those three pitches off one another, and in turn keep opposing hitters guessing.

Schlittler impressed last year during his rookie season, too, going 4-3 with a 2.96 ERA in 14 starts. But he also struggled with walks at times in 2025 and yielded nearly four free passes per nine innings.

Through two starts this year, Schlittler has not walked anyone. He struck out seven and needed just 79 pitches, 58 of them strikes, to get through 6 1/3 innings Wednesday.

“His calling card since he got in the organization was his ability to throw strikes with his fastball," Boone said. "And now, as he’s gone to another level from a stuff standpoint, that’s really served him well.”

Schlittler is hardly alone in having an excellent repertoire on a staff that figures to only improve in the coming weeks and months, at least on paper. Luis Gil, the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year, is in line to join the rotation in mid-April.

Left-hander Carlos Rodón, who experienced right hamstring tightness on Tuesday while going through his throwing program, continues to make progress in his return from elbow surgery. Former Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole, who missed the 2025 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, remains sidelined, but could be back by late spring or early summer.

The group that's currently donning the pinstripes on the daily, though, isn't just getting the job done for a team with World Series aspirations.

“I think this staff’s dominant," Schlittler said. "The bullpen’s been great as well. So, I think the team as a whole, (we're) just feeding off each other and taking it into each game and each start and just keep rolling with it.”

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb

New York Yankees head coach Aaron Boone, left, arrives on the mound to take New York Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler out of the game against the Seattle Mariners during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

New York Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler throws against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

New York Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler throws against the Seattle Mariners during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

New York Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt celebrates a win over the Seattle Mariners with shortstop José Caballero, right, and right fielder Aaron Judge, left, after a baseball game, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

New York Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler throws against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)