12/04/2025December 4, 2025’Don’t Look Back in Anger,’ German president tells UK lawmakers
Steinmeier spoke to both houses of Parliament and even made a Britpop musical reference Image: Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa/picture alliance
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has called on Britain and the EU to repair relations strained by Brexit, using a nod to Oasis to underline his message of reconciliation.
Speaking in the royal gallery during his three-day state visit — the first by a German head of state in 27 years — Steinmeier said the UK’s departure from the EU left many people “disappointed and sometimes unable to understand the decision,” creating “a feeling of uncertainty.”
He said both sides had chosen “not to stay stuck in these feelings.” Delivering his remarks in English, he told lawmakers: “Don’t Look Back in Anger, as one of the most famous songs by Oasis puts it so well.”
Steinmeier added: “If you don’t mind my saying so, I think that is typically British. Keep calm and carry on — look ahead pragmatically, move on.”
Separately, Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Büdenbender, thanked Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla for hosting an “unbelievable” state banquet at Windsor Castle.
The royals had welcomed the couple for a three-day state visit and staged a white-tie dinner in their honor on Wednesday.
Britain’s King Charles III, right, delivering his dinner speech next to the German president Image: Yui Mok/AP Photo/picture alliance
As the two couples posed for a farewell photo, Steinmeier turned to the king and said: “You were so generous, inviting us, the staying of the night — we had a good breakfast and a wonderful banquet yesterday.” Büdenbender added: “It was really so wonderful — unbelievable,” and Steinmeier said: “We will never forget it.”
The banquet, held in St. George’s Hall, gathered leading German figures in business, culture and sport. Guests included Claudia Schiffer, Matthew Vaughn, Hans Zimmer and “Strictly Come Dancing” judge Motsi Mabuse. Guests ate hot smoked trout with langoustines, Windsor partridge and baked Alaska, paired with fine wines.
There were plenty of other guests at the dinner welcoming Steinmeier and his wife, ElkeImage: Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa/picture alliance