W
e have a right royal summer ahead, as the Queen, our longest-reigning
monarch, celebrates her Platinum Jubilee – 70 years of unswerving
service to the nation. The occasion will no doubt generate outpourings of national pride and much waving of Union Jacks.
But our monarchy is a truly international institution – from the French Plantagenets to the German Hanoverians, dynastic names show that the royal family has roots and branches deep and wide.
The royal house of Hanover produced six British monarchs, from King George I, who was crowned in 1714, to Queen Victoria, forging centuries of rich relations between Britain and Germany.
And the Queen has personally strengthened those connections, making five memorable state visits to Germany during her reign, the first in 1965 and the latest in 2015, along with two trips just to Berlin.
So, on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee, we have created three themed “royal tour” holidays in Germany – in cooperation with the German National Tourist Office – exploring its historic cities, art, culture and palaces – where you can follow in the Queen’s famous footsteps.
Discover three enthralling tours to explore a country
full of history, culture and magnificent palaces
Next stop:
North Rhine-Westphalia
Tour 1
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You could feel the excitement in the air when, on May 25, 1965, the Queen arrived at Cologne Cathedral. As she stood before its massive gothic entrance, press cameras clicked and confetti blew about, thrown from windows by locals to celebrate her visit.
ologne, Bonn, Düsseldorf… Some of the
best-known place names in Germany lie
in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia, known for its historic cathedrals, musical heritage and dazzling landscapes.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Queen has visited more cities here than in any other German state.
Other royals have graced North Rhine-Westphalia with their presence. The Queen Mother paid a private visit to Münster in 1983, as did Charles and Diana in the summer of 1991. This bike-friendly university city should be on any traveller’s must-see list, with its buzzy
Cathedrals, composers – and some pretty cool nightlife. The cities of Stuttgart, Cologne and Berlin have all welcomed the Queen – and now they’re ready for you
CITIES
Tour 1
CULTURE
Tour 2
PALACES
Tour 3
HAMBURG
The historic 1965 visit to West Germany ended in Hamburg, where the Royal Yacht Britannia waited to take the Queen and Prince Philip along the River Elbe and then home. Her stay included meeting Hamburg’s mayor, who broke the local tradition of welcoming VIPs at the top of the staircase at city hall by descending the steps to greet her.
BERLIN
On June 23, 2015, on a three-day visit to Berlin, the Queen was a guest at the celebrated Hotel Adlon, beside the Brandenburg Gate. The royal standard was raised above the hotel in anticipation of her arrival – but it was upside down. Fortunately, the staff ran up the flag again, this time the right way round, before she checked in.
When the Queen reached Stuttgart on May 24, 1965, half a million people turned out to welcome her. It was, ahem, a new high for the royal visitor, who ascended Stuttgart’s TV Tower to sign the Golden Book of the City. It’s said that the rather inadequate lawn around the tower was painted green for her arrival.
As part of her first state visit to Germany in 1965, the Queen came to Munich on May 21, to be met by ecstatic citizens. Dressed in vibrant yellow, she took in the paintings of the Alte Pinakothek gallery with Bavaria’s prime minister, Alfons Goppel. (Much as she might have appreciated the city, the Queen had reminders of home during her visit, enjoying English Earl Grey tea brought along by her entourage.)
MUNICH
STUTTGART
COLOGNE
HAMBURG
BERLIN
DRESDEN
MAINZ
BONN
LEIPZIG
BREMEN
The Queen has been to Bonn three times, in 1965, 1978 and 1992. On her first visit to the city, she laid a bouquet of white and pink roses at the Beethoven Monument in Münsterplatz. In 1845, Queen Victoria had attended the unveiling of the monument, which commemorated the 75th anniversary of the birth of the composer.
In 1978, the Queen and the Duke visited Mainz – birthplace of Johannes Gutenberg, the 15th-century inventor of printing in Europe. Prince Philip was shown how the process worked by Mainz lord mayor Jockel Fuchs, and is said to have printed a book of his own to take home.
During the 1992 royal tour, the Queen visited the Kreuzkirche (Church of the Holy Cross), where a special service was organised for some 2,000 attendees. The sermon was shared by the Bishop of Dresden and the Bishop of Coventry (the cities are twinned), and the Duke of Edinburgh read a lesson in German.
In 1992 the Queen and Prince Philip enjoyed a rousing welcome in Leipzig, as well as a busy itinerary, which included both the old and new town halls, and St Nicholas Church. Her Majesty ended up with sore feet, according to Prince Philip's explanation in German.
On the Queen’s 1978 tour of Germany, ports of call included Bremerhaven, where she disembarked from the Royal Yacht Britannia, and Bremen. Here, on the Martini pier, the royal visitor was presented with flowers by an admiring young girl. The mayor, Hans Koschnick, walked her along the boardwalk to the Marktplatz.
HM the Queen made her mark on Dresden, Bonn and Mainz during some memorable state visits. Here’s how to follow in her regal footsteps for your own unforgettable break
WIESBADEN
BRÜHL
DÜSSELDORF
POTSDAM
HANOVER
Düsseldorf has featured twice on royal tour itineraries, in 1965 and 2004. The people of the city’s Benrath district, home to an eponymous palace the Queen visited, were clearly excited to see her on her first trip. Not only did they lay on a sumptuous breakfast reception, but they also gave the railway station a fresh coat of paint in anticipation of her arrival.
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The town of Brühl, in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, pulled out all the stops to welcome Her Majesty during her 1965 visit. A gala dinner was held at Augustusburg Palace in her honour, which was attended by German president Heinrich Lübke and his wife.
On the 1965 tour, Wiesbaden, one of the oldest spa towns in Europe, also welcomed Her Majesty. She visited the landmark Kurhaus Wiesbaden building, which hosts major events. To make her visit special, a rug that had been a wedding present from Queen Victoria to the last German emperor, Wilhelm II, was laid on the ballroom floor.
During Her Majesty’s first visit to Germany, destinations included Hanover, the capital of Lower Saxony. The city was a highly relevant place for her to visit, as it has centuries-old connections to the British royal family – our George I, crowned in 1714, was also the Elector of Hanover.
On her 2004 tour of Germany, the Queen visited Cecilienhof in Potsdam, near Berlin – the venue for the 1945 conference at which the leaders of Britain, the US and the Soviet Union met to finalise a post-war settlement. This country house, completed in 1917, is a half-brick, half-timber blend, and the monarch is said to have felt very much at home with the architecture’s British styling. Her verdict? “Very Tudor.” Which is spot-on.
Potsdam, Düsseldorf and Hanover are famous for their fabulous palaces, and once you’ve completed the royal tour, there’s plenty more in store. Read on and revel in the glamour
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Tour 2
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Tour 3
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Tour 3
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Tour 1
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G
Take a tour that follows in the Queen’s footsteps to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee
Crowning glory: Brühl’s Terrace, nicknamed the “Balcony of Europe”, stretches above the River Elbe and is located in the old town of Dresden
C
CULTURE
PALACES
CULTURE
Tour 2
CITIES
PALACES
PALACES
Tour 3
CITIES
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As the deep connections between Britain’s royal family and Germany – and these three themed tours – reveal, the country is rich in fascinating history and colourful culture. Discover Germany’s vibrant cities and romantic towns
And explore more of its magnificent castles and palaces
CULTURE
© ddpix.de (DML-BY)
harbour district and sturdy cathedral towering
over the Domplatz. Prince Philip visited the World Heritage Site Zeche Zollverein in Essen in 2015.
So, next stop North Rhine-Westphalia? Well, it’s almost on your doorstep and there are plenty of routes: fly from the UK to Cologne, Düsseldorf or Dortmund. Once there, you’ll find excellent train connections to get about with ease. You can also travel to North Rhine-Westphalia by Eurostar from London St Pancras via Brussels.
As they say in Germany, “Bis bald” – see you soon…
here.
A royal welcome To
Set in premium vineyard country,
the city is the cradle of the car
industry and Mercedes-Benz
Cafe culture, art and fashion
drive this creative hub with
a Gothic gem at its centre
A vibrant metropolis in the
heart of Europe whose architecture
is the envy of the world
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STUTTGART
COLOGNE
BERLIN
The former Roman stronghold that gave the world the
inventor of modern printing
MAINZ
The birthplace of Beethoven
on the banks of the Rhine
is bristling with museums
BONN
The home of Wagner, priceless
porcelain and one of Europe’s
biggest art collections
DRESDEN
Lower Saxony’s pride and joy,
with a summer palace and gardens
of serious royal pedigree
HANOVER
Germany’s fashion capital with
a fine line in funky buildings
and fabulous food in Little Tokyo
DÜSSELDORF
The crown jewel of Brandenburg
is home to Frederick the Great’s
magnificent summer retreat
POTSDAM
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© Stuttgart Marketing GmbH, Werner Dieterich
A nice place to relax and people watch in the city centre is Stuttgart Palace Square
© Stuttgart Marketing GmbH, Thomas Niedermüller
The Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart spans nine floors
© Tourismus NRW e.V.
Have a sweet treat at Cologne’s Chocolate Museum
© GNTB, Saskia Wehler Photography
St Peter’s Church is Munich’s oldest Catholic church, with great city views from the top
© Hamburg Marketing GmbH, Werner Dieterich
Building works for Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie concert hall were completed in 2016
© Bilderblitz, KölnTourismus GmbH
Cologne’s trendy Belgian Quarter is home to fashion boutiques, bars and restaurants
© Michael R Henning
Recently rebuilt, Dresden’s Frauenkirche was heavily bombed in the Second World War
© Sylvio Dittrich
The Church of the Holy Cross, in Dresden, is best known for its choir
© Johannes Hohn
The Beethoven House is a museum and memorial to the composer, Bonn’s most famous resident
© Tourismus NRW e.V
The Bundeskunsthalle in Bonn’s Museum Mile
© Getty Images, Westend61
Shops with restored half-timbered, baroque and rococo façades fill Mainz’s Old Town
© GNTB, Roetting + Pollex
The Federal Court’s green dome and New Town Hall tower stand out in the Leipzig cityscape
© BTZ
From Bremen’s Schlachte Embankment, you can watch the world sail by on the River Weser
© SPSG, Palace Cecilienhof, Reinhardt und Sommer
The Cecilienhof Country House, in Potsdam, resembles an Elizabethan manor house
© SPSG, Sanssouci Palace, L Seidel
Potsdam’s Sanssouci Palace was commissioned by Frederick the Great as his summer sanctuary
© GNTB, Florian Trykowski
The interiors of Brühl’s Augustusburg Palace are a fine example of the German rococo style
© Düsseldorf Tourismus GmbH, CC-BY-SA
While away an afternoon at Düsseldorf’s Benrath Palace and its topiary-adorned gardens
© GNTB, Francesco Carovillano
The Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen, in Hanover, played host to the Queen in 1965
© Getty Images, Westend61
The beautiful Baroque Biebrich Palace, in Wiesbaden, dates back to the 1700s
HAMBURG
BERLIN
COLOGNE
STUTTGART
MUNICH
BREMEN
LEIPZIG
DRESDEN
MAINZ
BONN
POTSDAM
HANOVER
WIESBADEN
BRÜHL
DÜSSELDORF
Illustrations by Elen Winata
here.
© GNTB, Francesco Carovillano
Relaxing in front of Berlin Cathedral
The jewels of this western state include (clockwise from above) Prinzipalmarkt square in Münster, Media Harbour in Düsseldorf, and Cologne Cathedral
A royal welcome To
G
ERMANY
Take a tour that follows in the Queen’s footsteps to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee
Crowning glory: Brühl’s Terrace, nicknamed the “Balcony of Europe”, stretches above the River Elbe and is located in the old town of Dresden
Discover three enthralling tours to explore a country full of history, culture and magnificent palaces
e have a right royal summer ahead, as the Queen, our
longest-reigning monarch, celebrates her Platinum
Jubilee – 70 years of unswerving service to the nation. The occasion will no doubt generate outpourings of national pride and much waving of Union Jacks.
But our monarchy is a truly international institution – from the French Plantagenets to the German Hanoverians, dynastic names show that the royal family has roots and branches deep and wide.
The royal house of Hanover produced six British monarchs, from King George I, who was crowned in 1714, to Queen Victoria, forging centuries of rich relations between Britain and Germany.
And the Queen has personally strengthened those connections, making five memorable state visits to Germany during her reign, the first in 1965 and the latest in 2015, along with two trips just to Berlin.
So, on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee, we have created three themed “royal tour” holidays in Germany – in cooperation with the German National Tourist Office – exploring its historic cities, art, culture and palaces – where you can follow in the Queen’s famous footsteps.
Next stop:
North Rhine-Westphalia
The jewels of this western state include
Media Harbour in Düsseldorf, Cologne Cathedral,
and Prinzipalmarkt square in Münster
ologne, Bonn, Düsseldorf… Some of the best
-known place names in Germany lie in the western
state of North Rhine-Westphalia, known for its historic cathedrals, musical heritage and dazzling landscapes.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Queen has visited more cities here than in any other German state.
Other royals have graced North Rhine-Westphalia with their presence. The Queen Mother paid a private visit to Münster in 1983, as did Charles and Diana in the summer of 1991. This bike-friendly university city should be on any traveller’s must-see list, with its buzzy harbour district and sturdy cathedral towering over the Domplatz. Prince Philip visited the World Heritage Site Zeche Zollverein in Essen in 2015.
So, next stop North Rhine-Westphalia? Well, it’s almost on your doorstep and there are plenty of routes: fly from the UK to Cologne, Düsseldorf or Dortmund. Once there, you’ll find excellent train connections to get about with ease. You can also travel to North Rhine-Westphalia by Eurostar from London St Pancras via Brussels.
As they say in Germany, “Bis bald” – see you soon…
As the deep connections between Britain’s
royal family and Germany – and these three
themed tours – reveal, the country is rich
in fascinating history and colourful culture.
Discover Germany’s vibrant cities and
romantic towns
And explore more of its magnificent
castles and palaces
© GNTB, Francesco Carovillano
The Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen, in Hanover, played host to the Queen in 1965
© Getty Images, Westend61
The beautiful Baroque Biebrich Palace, in Wiesbaden, dates back to the 1700s
© Düsseldorf Tourismus GmbH, CC-BY-SA
While away an afternoon at Düsseldorf’s Benrath Palace and its topiary-adorned gardens
© GNTB, Florian Trykowski
The interiors of Brühl’s Augustusburg Palace are a fine example of the German rococo style
© SPSG, Sanssouci Palace, L Seidel
Potsdam’s Sanssouci Palace was commissioned by Frederick the Great as his summer sanctuary
© SPSG, Palace Cecilienhof, Reinhardt und Sommer
The Cecilienhof Country House, in Potsdam, resembles an Elizabethan manor house
CLICK TO READ MORE
Lower Saxony’s pride and joy, with a summer palace and gardens of serious royal pedigree
HANOVER
CLICK TO READ MORE
Germany’s fashion capital with a fine line in funky buildings and fabulous food in Little Tokyo
DÜSSELDORF
CLICK TO READ MORE
The crown jewel of Brandenburg is home to Frederick the Great’s magnificent summer retreat
POTSDAM
WIESBADEN
BRÜHL
DÜSSELDORF
POTSDAM
HANOVER
Düsseldorf has featured twice on royal tour itineraries, in 1965 and 2004. The people of the city’s Benrath district, home to an eponymous palace the Queen visited, were clearly excited to see her on her first trip. Not only did they lay on a sumptuous breakfast reception, but they also gave the railway station a fresh coat of paint in anticipation of her arrival.
DÜSSELDORF
X
The town of Brühl, in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, pulled out all the stops to welcome Her Majesty during her 1965 visit. A gala dinner was held at Augustusburg Palace in her honour, which was attended by German president Heinrich Lübke and his wife.
BRÜHL
X
On the 1965 tour, Wiesbaden, one of the oldest spa towns in Europe, also welcomed Her Majesty. She visited the landmark Kurhaus Wiesbaden building, which hosts major events. To make her visit special, a rug that had been a wedding present from Queen Victoria to the last German emperor, Wilhelm II, was laid on the ballroom floor.
WIESBADEN
X
During Her Majesty’s first visit to Germany, destinations included Hanover, the capital of Lower Saxony. The city was a highly relevant place for her to visit, as it has centuries-old connections to the British royal family – our George I, crowned in 1714, was also the Elector of Hanover.
HANOVER
X
On her 2004 tour of Germany, the Queen visited Cecilienhof in Potsdam, near Berlin – the venue for the 1945 conference at which the leaders of Britain, the US and the Soviet Union met to finalise a post-war settlement. This country house, completed in 1917, is a half-brick, half-timber blend, and the monarch is said to have felt very much at home with the architecture’s British styling. Her verdict? “Very Tudor.” Which is spot-on.
POTSDAM
X
CULTURE
CLICK TO
VISIT
Tour 2
CITIES
CLICK TO
VISIT
Tour 1
Potsdam, Düsseldorf and Hanover are famous for their fabulous palaces, and once you’ve completed the royal tour, there’s plenty more in store. Read on and revel in the glamour
PALACES
Tour 3
Illustrations by Elen Winata
© BTZ
From Bremen’s Schlachte Embankment, you can watch the world sail by on the River Weser
© GNTB, Roetting + Pollex
Federal Court’s green dome and New Town Hall tower stand out in the Leipzig cityscape
© Getty Images, Westend61
Shops with restored half-timbered, baroque and rococo façades fill Mainz’s Old Town
© Tourismus NRW e.V
The Bundeskunsthalle in Bonn’s Museum Mile
© Johannes Hohn
The Beethoven House is a museum and memorial to the composer, Bonn’s most famous resident
© Sylvio Dittrich
The Church of the Holy Cross, in Dresden, is best known for its choir
© Michael R Henning
Recently rebuilt, Dresden’s Frauenkirche was heavily bombed in the Second World War
CLICK TO READ MORE
The former Roman stronghold that gave the world the
inventor of modern printing
MAINZ
CLICK TO READ MORE
The birthplace of Beethoven on the banks of the Rhine
is bristling with museums
BONN
CLICK TO READ MORE
The home of Wagner, priceless porcelain and one of Europe’s biggest art collections
DRESDEN
MAINZ
BONN
DRESDEN
LEIPZIG
BREMEN
The Queen has been to Bonn three times, in 1965, 1978 and 1992 . On her first visit to the city, she laid a bouquet of white and pink roses at the Beethoven Monument in Münsterplatz. In 1845, Queen Victoria had attended the unveiling of the monument, which commemorated the 75th anniversary of the birth of the composer.
BONN
X
In 1978, the Queen and the Duke visited Mainz – birthplace of Johannes Gutenberg, the 15th-century inventor of printing in Europe. Prince Philip was shown how the process worked by Mainz lord mayor Jockel Fuchs, and is said to have printed a book of his own to take home.
MAINZ
X
During the 1992 royal tour, the Queen visited the Kreuzkirche (Church of the Holy Cross), where a special service was organised for some 2,000 attendees. The sermon was shared by the Bishop of Dresden and the Bishop of Coventry (the cities are twinned), and the Duke of Edinburgh read a lesson in German.
DRESDEN
X
In 1992 the Queen and Prince Philip enjoyed a rousing welcome in Leipzig, as well as a busy itinerary, which included both the old and new town halls, and St Nicholas Church. Her Majesty ended up with sore feet, according to Prince Philip's explanation in German.
LEIPZIG
X
On the Queen’s 1978 tour of Germany, ports of call included Bremerhaven, where she disembarked from the Royal Yacht Britannia, and Bremen. Here, on the Martini pier, the royal visitor was presented with flowers by an admiring young girl. The mayor, Hans Koschnick, walked her along the boardwalk to the Marktplatz.
BREMEN
X
PALACES
CLICK TO
VISIT
Tour 3
CITIES
CLICK TO
VISIT
Tour 1
HM the Queen made her mark on Dresden, Bonn and Mainz during some memorable state visits. Here’s how to follow in her regal footsteps for your own unforgettable break
CULTURE
Tour 2
© Hamburg Marketing GmbH, Werner Dieterich
Building works for Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie concert hall were completed in 2016
© GNTB, Saskia Wehler Photography
St Peter’s Church is Munich’s oldest Catholic church, with great city views from the top
© GNTB, Francesco Carovillano
Relaxing in front of Berlin Cathedral
© Bilderblitz, KölnTourismus GmbH
Cologne’s trendy Belgian Quarter is home to fashion boutiques, bars and restaurants
© Tourismus NRW e.V.
Have a sweet treat at Cologne’s Chocolate Museum
© Stuttgart Marketing GmbH, Thomas Niedermüller
The Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart spans nine floors
© Stuttgart Marketing GmbH, Werner Dieterich
A nice place to relax and people watch in the city centre is Stuttgart Palace Square
CLICK TO READ MORE
A vibrant metropolis in the heart of Europe whose architecture is the envy of the world
BERLIN
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Cafe culture, art and fashion drive this creative hub with
a Gothic gem at its centre
COLOGNE
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Set in premium vineyard country, the city is the cradle of the car industry and Mercedes-Benz
STUTTGART
MUNICH
STUTTGART
COLOGNE
BERLIN
HAMBURG
As part of her first state visit to Germany in 1965, the Queen came to Munich on May 21, to be met by ecstatic citizens. Dressed in vibrant yellow, she took in the paintings of the Alte Pinakothek gallery with Bavaria’s prime minister, Alfons Goppel. (Much as she might have appreciated the city, the Queen had reminders of home during her visit, enjoying English Earl Grey tea brought along by her entourage.)
MUNICH
X
When the Queen reached Stuttgart on May 24, 1965, half a million people turned out to welcome her. It was, ahem, a new high for the royal visitor, who ascended Stuttgart’s TV Tower to sign the Golden Book of the City. It’s said that the rather inadequate lawn around the tower was painted green for her arrival.
STUTTGART
X
You could feel the excitement in the air when, on May 25, 1965, the Queen arrived at Cologne Cathedral. As she stood before its massive gothic entrance, press cameras clicked and confetti blew about, thrown from windows by locals to celebrate her visit.
COLOGNE
X
BERLIN
On June 23, 2015, on a three-day visit to Berlin, the Queen was a guest at the celebrated Hotel Adlon, beside the Brandenburg Gate. The royal standard was raised above the hotel in anticipation of her arrival – but it was upside down. Fortunately, the staff ran up the flag again, this time the right way round, before she checked in.
BERLIN
X
HAMBURG
The historic 1965 visit to West Germany ended in Hamburg, where the Royal Yacht Britannia waited to take the Queen and Prince Philip along the River Elbe and then home. Her stay included meeting Hamburg’s mayor, who broke the local tradition of welcoming VIPs at the top of the staircase at city hall by descending the steps to greet her.
HAMBURG
X
PALACES
CLICK TO
VISIT
Tour 3
CULTURE
CLICK TO
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Tour 2
Cathedrals, composers – and some pretty cool nightlife. The cities of Stuttgart, Cologne and Berlin have all welcomed the Queen – and now they’re ready for you
CITIES
Tour 1
here.