For Hamburg, a city devastated by allied bombing, King Charles’s visit is so much more than a photo-op | Helene von Bismarck

UK-German relations are long and complicated, and not all symbolism is empty

King Charles III will not only travel to Berlin during his state visit to Germany this week, but also Hamburg, the country's second largest city and home to its biggest port. Hamburg is a trading hub known for its Anglophilia, with close connections to Great Britain that go back centuries that were revived during the British occupation of the city after the second world war, when the former enemy quickly turned into a close partner.

When you take the long view at UK-German relations, this part of the king's trip is at least as important and meaningful as his appointments in the German capital. Those who criticise royal visits as constituting little more than expensive photo-ops fail to understand that not all symbolism is empty.