'Firmest friends' Prince William says Britain and Germany relations NOT rocked by Brexit
PRINCE William has declared British-German relationships will not be damaged by Brexit.
The Duke of Cambridge spoke during his visit to Angela Merkel's nation, as part of his family's European tour.
He said: “I am confident we shall remain the firmest of friends.
The Duke said the ties were “political, historical and commercial” as well as “sporting and academic”.
“The United Kingdom and Germany proudly share the same values, as open and democratic societies.
“We have the same determination to champion those values and to defend them - not least through our very close defence and security partnerships.
“Today we share fundamental interests in the peace and prosperity of the continent of Europe. To which, we both belong.
“The relationship between the United Kingdom and Germany really matters, it is the product of many years of working closely together.
“It will continue despite Britain’s recent decision to leave the European Union.
“I am confident we shall remain the firmest of friends.
“Our visit will reflect, and I hop reinforce, our strong and wide-ranging ties between Britain and Germany.
“The UK- Germany connection was established after the visit of the queen to Germany in 2004 and it provides a wide range of UK-German activities, networks and funding for schools and youth groups.
The Duke said he was “pleased” both the British and German governments had decided to double their funding for the UK-German Connection, the bilateral initiative for school and youth links.
The programme was established after the Queen visited Germany in 2004.
He said: “The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow, we want to establish friendships between out young people that will last a lifetime.”
The Duke also read out a message from his grandmother, The Queen.
Her Majesty said: “Prince Philip and I send our warmest good wishes for all of you gathered for the special Garden Party.
“We have fond memories of five State Visits from our first in 1965 to our most recent in 2015.”
Over fifty the course of those fifty years British-German relations have thrived, allowing us to face the challenges and embrace the opportunities of the 21st century together.
“I am delighted that The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will experience the beauty of this country and the warmth of its people when they visit Berlin, Hamburg and Heidelberg.
“I hope you all have an enjoyable evening.”
The Duke of Cambridge and his family are on a five-day tour of Poland and Germany.
Prince George, three, and Princess Charlotte, two, have accompanied their parents on the trip.
The Cambridges visited former concentration camp Stutthof on their tour of Poland.
They described it as "shattering", saying the site is a "terrible reminder of the cost of war".
More follows...