German Ambassador to the United Kingdom
The German Embassy in London is the most important international representation of Germany in the UK. The building of the Embassy is located in Belgravia, City of Westminster.
History
The history of German diplomacy in London begins with the first Prussian ambassador at the English court of Charles II, Ezekiel Spanheim ( 1629-1710 ). Spanheim spent nine years in London and had in addition to his work as a diplomat among others active contact with Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. He was buried alongside his wife at Westminster Abbey.
After a long period without German - British diplomacy drew 1758 Dodo Heinrich Baron Inn and Knyphausen to London to represent the interests of Prussia until the end of the Seven Years' War.
Wilhelm von Humboldt (1767-1835) was in London since 1817 Prussian envoy. At that time, there were a total of eleven representatives of the German Federal States. From 1827 to 1841, Heinrich von Bülow conducted the royal Prussian Legation, which consisted of only three people besides him.
Christian Karl Josias Bunsen followed in 1841 by Bülow in office. With Bunsen was blowing in the embassy, a fresh wind: he enlarged representation of Prussia and made for a parade of No. 4 for No. 9 Carlton House Terrace, a prestigious building in the style of classicism. From Bunsen had close contact with Albert of Saxe- Coburg and Gotha, the husband of Queen Victoria. When the royal Crown Princess Victoria ( " Vicky " ) liberal Prussian crown prince and later German Emperor Frederick III. married, organized by Bunsen in the Prussian Legation ( Carlton House Terrace ) a big celebration to the next Theodor Fontane, who was invited to receptions of the embassy several times, also members of the British royal family appeared.
As of Bunsen tried to bring the neutral Prussia on the side of the British in the Crimean War, he was recalled from Berlin. 1854-1861 was Albrecht Graf von Bernstorff Elder Prussian envoy, to King William I appointed him in 1862 on the advice of Bismarck to the royal ambassador. From 1866 he was employed as an envoy of the North German Confederation, before in 1871 the first imperial ambassador could call. He was followed to the end of the Empire five other Ambassador of Imperial Germany. The diplomacy between Germany and the United Kingdom was of great importance, which is why the post in London, was very popular in spite of the weather, which already Wilhelm von Humboldt complained.
The first diplomatic representative of the Weimar Republic was Friedrich Sthamer, former member of the Hamburg Parliament and the Senate. He was in his work in the embassy building No.8 & No.9 Carlton House Terrace supported by Konstantin Freiherr von Neurath and Leopold von Hoesch, both followed him one after the other as an ambassador.
In the era of National Socialism was initially Joachim von Ribbentrop ambassador in London. He left Carlton House Terrace on March 12, 1938, the day of the "Anschluss " of Austria. His successor was Herbert von Dirksen. This prompted soon to release the magnificent Austrian embassy building its purpose and use as German Consulate. The Austrian diplomat had to wait until 1949 before they could use the building in Belgrave Square again as a message.
On 16 June 1950, the German Consulate General of the London, which lasted until 1955. In the same year the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany was opened in the British capital on 21-23 Belgrave Square. The building at the Carlton House Terrace could not be obtained again because the British had there already set up the " Office for the Administration of Enemy Property". Today is located in the magnificent former residence of the imperial message of the seat of the Royal Society.
First nationwide Republican Ambassador, Hans Snake Schoningen, who spoke no English until his appointment, which was held at the request of Adenauer and had nothing to do as Reich Minister under Heinrich Brüning with foreign affairs. Nonetheless, he mastered the difficult political situation and entered successfully for a reconciliation between Germany and Great Britain.
Hans -Heinrich Herwarth of field Please, Snake Schoeni gene successor, it is that Federal President Theodor Heuss in 1958 appeared on a state visit to London and as the resurgent German -British friendship gave new impetus reached. On that occasion, the later Goethe Institute was opened in the British capital.
Between Herwarth of Bittenfeld and today's ambassador Georg Boomgaarden led 13 other diplomats, the German diplomatic mission, including Rüdiger von Wechmar, Hermann von Richthofen and Wolfgang Ischinger.
Today, the German Embassy in London is again the focal point of the German -British relations with a broad field of activity. The former East Germany Embassy in London is now the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany and serves as a venue for exhibitions and receptions.