King Charles bids farewell to President Frank-Walter Steinmeier with royal Christmas surprise

King Charles, accompanied by Queen Camilla, is seeing off President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and First Lady Elke Büdenbender on the final day of their stay at Windsor Castle.

Taking place on Thursday, December 4, the royal farewell to the German leader and his wife included a special festive surprise — a centuries old royal sleigh, designed by one of the Crown’s own German members.

“The sleigh was designed by German-born Prince Albert for his wife Queen Victoria and was written about by the queen in her diary in 1845,” reported PEOPLE.

Accompanying the ancient relic’s display was its sketch, which was presented to President Steinmeier and the first lady by Charles and Camilla.

The German head of state had also discussed his country’s influence on the British holiday traditions during his address at the Windsor state banquet on December 3.

“First and foremost, the Christmas tree, the first one of which was displayed here at Windsor Castle by Queen Charlotte in the year 1800 and which was soon to become a feature in many living rooms in the United Kingdom,” he said. “An inherently British custom was thus born out of a tradition that was originally German.”

King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife at Windsor Castle for two days, December 3 and 4, while the couple is still expected to carry out their state visit to the UK until December 5.