PRINCE Charles has touched down in Germany on the first official flight on the new ‘Hair Force One’ jet following its £1 million makeover.
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall arrived in Berlin on the RAF Voyager ahead of attending a ceremony tomorrow to mark the country's National Day of Mourning.
The couple will attend a wreath-laying event at the Neue Wache Memorial, before joining the Central Remembrance Ceremony at the Bundestag, where the prince will deliver a speech.
It marks the first time that members of the British monarchy will join guests at the country’s remembrance event.
Clarence House announced the brief visit to Germany earlier this week week and said in a statement the couple had been invited by the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
The statement added: “The National Day of Mourning will this year focus on the German-British friendship, which has grown in the 75 years since the end of the Second World War.
“The event pays tribute to the Allied commitment to the liberation from Nazi occupation and to the reconstruction, re-democratisation and subsequent reunification of Germany.
“It remembers all victims of war and tyranny.”
The official Twitter account for Charles and Camilla also shared an autumnal snap of the Royal couple to mark the Prince’s 72nd birthday, which he celebrated today.
A birthday cake was presented to the prince during the flight and shared among his household, and he is also expected to mark his milestone privately with Camilla.
Prince Charles and Camilla are also the first dignitaries to fly on the RAF Voyager since an expensive makeover in June.
The jet underwent a £900,000 paint job at the request of Boris Johnson – and the aircraft has even cheekily been dubbed ‘Hair Force One’ after the mop-haired PM.
The previous grey RAF bodywork has now been replaced by the colours of the Union Jack, while the words “United Kingdom” are emblazoned in giant gold letters across the fuselage.
An RAF spokesman confirmed the prince and his wife were the first VIPs to use the plane since its makeover.
He added: “Since its livery was updated, the VIP Voyager has continued to operate as part of the RAF's Air to Air Refuelling fleet, supporting operations and training.
“As air travel begins to return to normal, the aircraft will also be used for VIP flights.”
When not carrying ministers and members of the royal family on official foreign trips the jet, based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, flies air-to-air refuelling operations.
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