The Federal President will greet President Biden with military honours at Schloss Bellevue. This will be followed by talks between the two heads of state.

Thereafter, the Federal President will bestow Germany’s highest honour, the Grand Cross special class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, on President Biden, in recognition of his contributions to both the German-American friendship and the transatlantic bond, which he has played a key role in shaping through all of the offices he has held over the last five decades and which he has fortified particularly in response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

President Biden is the second US President to receive this honour. In 1993, George H. W. Bush received this Order of Merit for his services to the cause of German unity.

The Federal President’s speech at the award ceremony will be streamed live via the website and via YouTube.

Finally, the Federal President will host a reception in honour of President Biden.