Former chancellor Angela Merkel receives Germany's highest honour, the special class Grand Cross, despite facing continued criticism of her legacy since leaving office, especially over her policy towards Moscow. Merkel led Europe's biggest economy from 2005 to 2021. In a speech before handing over the award, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier praises: "I am pleased to honour you, Angela Merkel, in this way today. (...) For your extraordinarily long term in office and for your extraordinary political life" he says. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES