German president lays wreath at Coventry cathedral ruins

German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier has paid tribute to the victims of the Coventry Blitz during a solemn wreath laying ceremony at the ruins of the city’s original cathedral. The visit marked the final day of his state trip to the UK and carried deep symbolic significance given Coventry’s history as one of the most heavily bombed British cities during the Second World War.

President Steinmeier was joined by his wife, Elke Budenbender, as they toured the remains of the old cathedral, which has been preserved as a memorial since the night of devastating air raids in November 1940. The attack by Germany’s Luftwaffe destroyed much of the city centre and left the cathedral in ruins, turning it into a lasting emblem of wartime suffering and resilience.

Standing beneath the charred stone arches, the president laid a wreath in remembrance of those who lost their lives. The ceremony was also attended by the Duke of Kent, who placed a wreath on behalf of the Royal Family to mark the 85th anniversary of the attack. Local clergy and civic leaders gathered to welcome the delegation and reflect on the long journey from wartime destruction to post war reconciliation.

The moment was especially poignant given the evolving relationship between the UK and Germany, which has shifted from historic adversaries to close allies. Steinmeier has frequently spoken of the importance of acknowledging the darker chapters of German history and of strengthening ties built on trust, cooperation and shared European values.

During his state visit, the president met political leaders, community groups and historians, with Coventry chosen as a key destination due to its reputation as a city of peace and reconciliation. Since the war the cathedral has become an international symbol of forgiveness, promoting dialogue between former enemies and fostering global peace initiatives.

Local residents who witnessed the ceremony said it was a powerful reminder of how far relations between the two countries have come. Many noted that the presence of both German and British representatives at the ruins offered a moment of reflection on the human cost of conflict and the enduring importance of remembrance.

The visit concluded Steinmeier’s three day programme, which also included engagements in London and Oxford. For Coventry the ceremony served as both a commemoration of its past and an affirmation of its role as a place where history, healing and international friendship continue to intersect.