29-05-2025
Von der Leyen to receive Charlemagne Prize for European unity
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is due to receive the International Charlemagne Prize on Thursday in the German city of Aachen.
The head of the European Commission is being honoured because she "has played a key role in keeping Europe united, resilient and capable of action," a statement from the awarding body stated.
The award ceremony takes place in the city hall of Aachen, an ancient city on the border with Belgium and the Netherlands linked to the 8th/9th century European emperor, Charlemagne.
Speakers include German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and King Felipe VI of Spain.
Among the 700 guests of honour, former laureates, such as the ex-Luxembourg prime minister Jean-Claude Juncker, are expected.
Several smaller demonstrations have been announced in the city centre of Aachen, including those concerning the supply chain law and against the rearmament plans of the EU and Germany.
The Charlemagne Prize has been awarded by the citizens of the city of Aachen for 75 years for services to Europe and European unity.
Among the laureates are many politicians - British prime minister Winston Churchill, German chancellor Angela Merkel, or US president Bill Clinton - as well as representatives of European institutions and the late pope Francis.
In 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Ukrainian people were honoured.
The International Charlemagne Prize consists of a certificate and a gold medal. The award is named after Charlemagne, whose Frankish empire extended over large parts of Europe in the early Middle Ages and who is therefore sometimes referred to as the Father of Europe.
