Joachim Gauck was sworn in as the eleventh President of the Federal Republic of Germany at a joint session of the Bundestag and Bundesrat in the plenary chamber of the Bundestag in Berlin on 23 March 2012. The Federal President then gave a speech. Later on, following the swearing-in ceremony, Federal President Gauck was welcomed with military honours by the Federal Armed Forces in the gardens of Schloss Bellevue.

On his arrival in the courtyard of Schloss Bellevue the Federal President was accompanied by an escort of honour of seven police motorcycles. The new head of state was welcomed by a guard of honour from the three services of the Federal Armed Forces – army, navy and air force – as well as a military band playing the national anthem. Federal President Gauck inspected the guard of honour along with the Federal Minister of Defence, Thomas de Maizière, and the Chief of Staff of the Federal Armed Forces, General Volker Wieker.

Joachim Gauck was elected Federal President on 18 March by the 15th Federal Convention.