President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Budenbender, will begin a three-day visit to the UK on Wednesday.

The King and Queen are welcoming the German president to Windsor Castle on Wednesday for a festive state visit.

A glittering state banquet will be staged in honour of Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife, former judge Elke Budenbender, in the grand St George’s Hall, with a towering Christmas tree serving as the backdrop.

The six-metre (19.6ft) Nordmann fir has been illuminated with 3,000 lights and decked out in shimmering green and gold ornaments and stretches up to the vaulted ceiling, with garlands adorning the room’s balconies.

Some 160 guests will dine on a nearly 50-metre long (164ft) mahogany table which runs the entire length of the hall. They will also be serve

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