Amidst pickelhaubes resplendent
Sunday, 27 July 2008 — 8:12 pm
The Chancellor of Germany is seen here worriedly admiring the pickelhaubed cavalry on her state visit to Colombia. Such elements of tradition, widespread in South America, are unofficially but totally banned in Germany.
Thank you as ever Mr Cusack, for your splendid articles. However was this indeed a state visit? Surely only Heads of State make such visits and those of Heads of Government are official?
Hmmm… you might be right about that; I’m not sure.
The visit was a few months ago.
Very nice piece.
The Pickelhaube is indeed not an element of any executive uniform in Germany these days, its European use largely confined to Sweden I think.
However, it is not at all banned officially or unofficially in Gernmany. Many living history groups as well as traditional civic militias use it - in my home town it is worn by one Corps of Drums and a Dragoon-style cavalry formation. Quite a few people like its sight.
On the “state visit”: while this may not reflect English usage, in Germany it was reported as an official visit, certainly not a state visit, by the informed sections of the media. “Staatsbesuche” being conducted d by the head of state (usually around four or five p.a.)
Best wishes, Martin