Queen And Duke To Make State Visit to Germany

The Queen is to make a three-day state visit to Germany with the Duke of Edinburgh this summer, Buckingham Palace has announced.

The 88-year-old monarch and her 93-year-old husband will travel to the country in June at the invitation of Germany's president, Joachim Gauck, a human-rights campaigner and former East German dissident.

The royal couple last made a state visit to Germany in November 2004.

The trip will follow shortly after the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe.

Prince Philip saw wartime service in the Royal Navy while the Queen joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) as a mechanic.

The June trip will be the fifth state visit by the royal couple to Germany.

In July 2000, during an official visit to Berlin, the Queen opened the new British embassy.

Buckingham Palace said in a short statement: "The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, will make a state visit to the Federal Republic of Germany from 24 to 26 June.

"Her Majesty and His Royal Highness are visiting at the invitation of the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Joachim Gauck."

Mr Gauck and his partner, Daniela Schadt, were the guests of the Queen and Duke at a lunch at Buckingham Palace in November 2012.

News of the state visit comes just two days before German Chancellor Angela Merkel visits London for talks with Prime Minister David Cameron.

The Queen and Prince Philip have scaled back their overseas trips in recent years, allowing other members of the royal household to represent them, including Prince Charles, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Harry.

Last year they attended the 70th anniversary commemorations of D-Day in France and also made a one-day trip to Rome.

Prior to that, the monarch had not left Britain since visiting Australia in October 2011.