The King and Queen Consort are in Germany – the first state visit since the start of the new monarch’s reign.

The couple arrived at Berlin’s Brandenburg Airport at about 1pm UK time, and are currently at the Brandenburg Gate, the first time the landmark has been used to welcome any visiting head of state.

Day one of their three-day tour in one of the EU’s leading nations, will also include a state dinner with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

It is rumoured that some of the King’s German cousins have been invited to attend the event. One of these relatives include Prince Donatus of Hesse, who dined with the late Queen when she visited Frankfurt during a 2015 state visit with the Duke of Edinburgh.

They were due to travel to Germany from France for a state visit until French President Emmanuel Macron asked the government to postpone their trip, following a night of violent protests.

As the ministerial plane Voyager approached the airport, it was escorted by two Typhoon jets, a mark of respect to the King.

They were then greeted by a 21-gun salute and a fly-past of two fighter jets after pausing at the top of the plane’s steps. At the bottom the royals were greeted by a line of dignitaries including the British Ambassador to Germany, Jill Gallard, and the State Secretary Dorte Dinger.

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In a joint statement posted to Twitter, the King and Queen Consort said it was a “great joy” to be able to develop the “longstanding friendship” between the two nations.

“Ahead of our first state visit to Germany, we are very much looking forward to meeting all of those who make this country so special,” the statement read.

The leave will Berlin and travel to Hamburg on Thursday.