As Windsor prepares to welcome the German Staatspräsident in December 2025, we take a closer look at some of the town’s lesser-known ties to Germany—beyond the well-trodden royal lineage.
Royal Roots with a German Twist
The British royal family’s German heritage is no secret. If not for the First World War, the House of Windsor might still be known as the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. But Windsor’s German connections run deeper than the ancestry of its most famous residents.
Gustav Hamel: Windsor’s Sky Pioneer
At the junction of Park Street and the High Street, a blue post box marks the world’s first scheduled airmail service. The pilot behind this 1911 milestone was Gustav Hamel, born in Hamburg in 1889. His family relocated to Britain when his father became royal physician to King Edward VII. Hamel Jr. went on to become a celebrated aviator, and just a few years after his airmail feat, he was back above Windsor—looping the loop over the Castle in his monoplane.
A Town Crier with German Flair
Should President Steinmeier wish to hear the news in his native tongue, he need only step outside the castle gates and find none other than the Royal Borough’s official Town Crier. Resplendent in his coachman’s coat and feathered tricorn hat, Mr. Chris Brown, may look quintessentially British—but like the Royal Family, he too has German roots. His mother was born in Silesia and raised her son to be multilingual. Our Town Crier Chris delivers proclamations with equal gusto in both English and German.
Stammtisch at The Swan
If a chat with the Town Crier whets the President’s appetite for more German conversation, The Swan pub is the place to be. It hosts a regular German-speaking group at their ‘Stammtisch’ table. Alongside classic British ales, The Swan serves up crisp German-style lagers—perfect for toasting new friendships.
Oktoberfest with a Ukulele Twist
It’s a pity the President couldn’t visit in late September, when The Swan’s Oktoberfest celebrations were in full swing. The Windsor Ukulele Band joined the fun, strumming their own rendition of “In München steht ein Hofbräuhaus” and bringing Bavarian cheer to the heart of Berkshire.
In short, Staatspräsident Steinmeier can expect a warm—and surprisingly familiar—welcome when he arrives in this most British of towns.