Wednesday evening news briefing: The King and Queen land in Berlin
Good evening. The King and Queen Consort have arrived in Berlin for the first state visit of their reign. We have the latest, as Britain is poised to join an Indo-Pacific trade deal in a major Brexit victory.
King and Queen receive ceremonial welcome in Berlin
The royal couple were greeted at Berlin-Brandenburg airport with a 21-gun salute and a flypast. Our Royal Editor Victoria Ward reports that they then travelled to Berlin's Brandenburg Gate - a national symbol of peace and unity - where they were welcomed by Germany's president Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Budenbender.
The King and president inspected a guard of honour, before they all conducted a brief walkabout, meeting wellwishers who had gathered in central Berlin to welcome the couple. You can view a gallery of pictures from the royal visit here.
And in a new episode of Royal Insight, Camilla Tominey explains why King Charles prioritised France and Germany over the Commonwealth for his first state visit.
Charles wears indigenous bracelet in first portrait
In more royal news, the King has been depicted wearing an indigenous bracelet in the first portrait to be released since the start of his reign.
The portrait in oils was completed by artist Alastair Barford in just two weeks after he studied him at work at a Buckingham Palace reception in aid of biodiversity in February.
The monarch was presented with a bracelet during the event by the Amazon indigenous leader, Domingo Peas. Mr Barford included it in his portrait to add context and authenticity, as a symbol of the King’s advocacy on climate change and sustainability.
Queen 'deeply saddened' by death of Paul O'Grady
Buckingham Palace said that the Queen Consort was "deeply saddened" by the death of the TV presenter and comedian Paul O'Grady.
The TV star, also known for his drag queen persona Lily Savage, died "unexpectedly but peacefully" on Tuesday at the age of 67, his husband Andre Portasio revealed.
The Palace has since paid tribute to O'Grady, posting an image of Camilla with the star. You can read O'Grady's Telegraph obituary here.
Evening Briefing: Today's essential headlines
Liz Truss | The former prime minister hit back at Jeremy Hunt after he criticised her mini-Budget and accused her of making “mistakes”. A spokesman for Ms Truss responded by saying that the Chancellor’s decision to press ahead with an increase in corporation tax “looks like a pretty bad mistake right now”.
Migration | Housing migrants in ferries would deter Channel crossings, says Dominic Raab
Pensions | Bank of England calls for pension crackdown after mini-Budget blow-up
Saudi Arabia | Riyadh to join anti-West bloc with China and Russia
AI | ‘Out of control’ AI is a threat to civilisation, warns Elon Musk
Amsterdam | City warns British drug and sex tourists to 'stay away'
Comment and analysis
Jeremy Warner | The British curse is back – and Andrew Bailey will struggle to exorcise it
Madeline Grant | Too few want to admit that boys and girls are different
Allison Pearson | John Lewis has officially gone downhill – and my recent experience proves it
Ross Clark | The EU's Net Zero plan is in tatters
Ben Marlow | Royal Mail workers are living in a 1970s dream world
World news: 'Hero' headteacher 'headed straight towards shooter' during Nashville school massacre
The headteacher gunned down at a Christian primary school in Nashville was hailed a hero after reportedly heading "straight for the shooter", as vigils were held across the city. Katherine Koonce, head of The Covenant School, along with three nine-year-old children and two other staff were slain by Audrey Hale, 28, an ex-student of the small, fee-paying Presbyterian school.
Long read of the day
I was one of the only girls at Westminster school – and had the time of my life
Esther Walker was one of 60 sixth-form girls at Westminster in 1996. Now, 27 years on, they’re rolling out the co-ed plan to all year groups
Business news: Britain poised to sign Indo-Pacific trade deal in major Brexit victory
Britain is poised to join an Indo-Pacific trade pact in a major post-Brexit win, as the economy pivots away from the European Union. Ministers will hold meetings this week with counterparts in various Indo-Pacific nations to put the finishing touches to a deal. Melissa Lawford has the full story here.
Editor's choice
TV | How Paul O’Grady dragged gay culture into the mainstream
US | 11 of the strangest moments from the Gwyneth Paltrow trial
Politics | How British Asians came to be political powerhouses
Sport news: Karen Carney and Rob Green sit on panel that judges referees
Premier League referees are being judged by a group of five former players and managers including Rob Green and Karen Carney - and have been told their accuracy on big decisions this season has improved. Telegraph Sport can reveal that the rise in correct decisions, by around two per cent, has come after a reckoning last summer.
Today's Matt cartoon
The small boats crisis inspired Matt's cartoon today. Click here to see more from Matt.
And you can find today's political cartoon here.
Three things for you
Net Zero | How landlords can hit their new EPC targets
Global Health | The ‘blissful’ tourist hotspot that has become the world’s most polluted city
And finally... for this evening's downtime
Dressing like the one per cent comes down to one simple rule | If you’re someone who likes to look nonchalantly elegant, there’s a lot to be said for the rich woman aesthetic, writes Lisa Armstrong.
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