Windsor Castle’s St George’s Hall was decked out in festive colours for the feast.

A Christmassy state banquet is being staged for the first time in modern royal history with a magnificent 20ft Christmas tree adorning Windsor Castle’s St George’s Hall.

German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Budenbunder are being feted at the glittering celebration, where the table has been decorated in festive deep red poinsettias and bright red berries, and mini fir trees.

German supermodel Claudia Schiffer and her filmmaker husband Sir Matthew Vaughn will be among the guests on Wednesday evening.

Other famous names with German heritage or connections include movie-score composer Hans Zimmer, Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse, who lives in Germany, and children’s book illustrator Axel Sc

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