Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer could not hide his apparent delight upon discovering his dinner companion at a lavish Windsor Castle state banquet on Wednesday night. The Labour leader found himself seated next to legendary supermodel Claudia Schiffer, as the Royal Family hosted the first German state visit to the UK in 27 years.
A Star-Studded Guest List for Historic Diplomacy
The historic dinner, hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla in St George's Hall, welcomed German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Budenbender, as guests of honour. The 152 attendees included a remarkable blend of diplomatic and celebrity figures, from filmmaker Sir Matthew Vaughn and illustrator Axel Scheffler to Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse and former footballer Thomas Hitzlsperger.
However, it was the seating arrangement that provided a memorable, light-hearted moment. As guests filed in to the sound of 'God Save the King', Claudia Schiffer—resplendent in a regal black and gold gown—took her place beside the Prime Minister. Captured by the press, Sir Keir's reaction was immediate: he puffed out his cheeks and raised his eyebrows in a gesture that prompted laughter from the German media corps, who interpreted it as clear approval of his neighbour.
The 55-year-old model, under her married title Lady Vaughn, was also just one seat away from the King himself. Some observers suggested this placement was a deliberate diplomatic move by the royal household, perhaps to avoid any potential awkwardness with the Prince of Wales. Prince William famously harboured a teenage crush on Schiffer, a fact his mother, the late Princess Diana, once playfully exploited by inviting her and other models to Kensington Palace.
Regal Splendour and Heartfelt Tributes
The banquet was a masterpiece of opulent planning. The grand table gleamed under 158 candles, accompanied by a towering 20-foot Christmas tree. Meticulous preparation saw 152 place settings laid with 329 knives, 320 spoons, and 760 glasses. Silver-gilt centrepieces overflowed with flowers from the royal estates.
Amid the grandeur, the Princess of Wales commanded particular admiration. Catherine arrived in a pale blue Jenny Packham gown, wearing the breathtaking Oriental Circlet tiara. This rare piece, designed by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria and featuring over 2,600 diamonds, had not been seen in public since 2006. Queen Camilla shone in green lace with the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara.
The culinary offering matched the setting, featuring hot-smoked trout, Windsor partridge in pastry, and a dramatic baked Alaska. Wines were carefully selected, including a 1995 Château La Fleur-Pétrus Pomerol to mark the year of the German president's marriage.
Warm Speeches and a Shared Future
King Charles set a tone of warm humour and reconciliation in his after-dinner speech. He jested about German automotive excellence being upstaged by the "six horsepower" of the horse-drawn carriage, and wryly referenced the football rivalry between the nations, noting the old adage that "in the end, the Germans win!".
Striking a more serious note, he acknowledged the "darkest times" of conflict between the UK and Germany but framed them as a foundation for an "honest friendship, renewed and redoubled." He emphasised the two nations' shared responsibility to stand with Ukraine against Russian aggression and to face the future with determination.
President Steinmeier responded in kind, sharing his teenage fondness for British Forces Broadcasting Service music. He suggested that even their differences in humour, beer, and football demonstrated shared passions. He paid tribute to the Windsor family's consistent role in forging ties between the two countries.
The visit continues today, with the German presidential couple due to lay flowers at Queen Elizabeth II's tomb in St George's Chapel before attending a reception celebrating volunteering across the UK.
