The state banquet in Berlin was unusually intimate: Angela Merkel and the Macrons were visibly happy to see each other again.
During her time in office, Angela Merkel (69) was rather matter-of-fact and cool. But when the former Chancellor met the French presidential couple at the state banquet in Berlin, she appeared more relaxed than ever. After greeting Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (68) at Bellevue Palace, she warmly shook Emmanuel Macron’s (46) hand and smiled at him. He was also visibly pleased and gave her a kiss on the hand.
Kisses for Macron’s wife Brigitte
After that, things got even more intimate: Merkel hugged France’s First Lady Brigitte Macron (71) and gave her a kiss on the cheek. For the big evening on the occasion of the French’s three-day visit to Germany, the former Chancellor had left her famous suits in the closet and chosen a turquoise ensemble with a long skirt. Brigitte Macron (71) wore a dark blue, tight-fitting robe. After the warm welcome, the friendly gestures continued in the ballroom: the French President toasted his former colleague from Germany and the two clinked glasses across the table.
It is no secret that the politicians get on well. Even when Merkel said goodbye three years ago, Macron gave her a warm hug. The 46-year-old is still in Germany until Tuesday, May 28. To kick things off on Sunday, he and Steinmeier attended the democracy festival for the 75th anniversary of the Basic Law before going to dinner in Bellevue. On Monday morning, they visited the memorial to murdered Jews in Europe. Then they will go on to Dresden for the European youth festival “Fête de l’Europe”. On Tuesday, Macron will be awarded the International Prize of Peace of Westphalia in Münster, and finally he will attend the German-French Council of Ministers at Meseberg Castle in Brandenburg together with Chancellor Olaf Scholz (65).
After three years, the former Chancellor is back
After Angela Merkel was bid farewell from the Chancellery with a Grand Tattoo on December 2, 2021 after 16 years in office, she had largely withdrawn from public life. But now she can be seen more often again at various events, such as on May 23 at the state ceremony to mark the anniversary of the Basic Law. There she spoke on stage and emphasized the importance of democracy.
Merkel also has a lot to celebrate in her private life this year: on April 19, her husband Joachim Sauer turned 75. She has been married to the professor of physical and theoretical chemistry since 1998. On May 13, she attended the farewell ceremony for the former Green Party parliamentary group leader, Jürgen Trittin (69). The two have been long-time companions – and both will turn 70 in the same month. Germany’s first female Chancellor will celebrate her milestone birthday on July 17, 1954.
We will be hearing and seeing a lot more from the former top politician this year. Her autobiography “Freedom” is due to be published on November 26th, and it could cause a sensation in Berlin. In it, she will not only look back on her career, but also report on her meetings with the most powerful people in the world.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
