Theresa May and Angela Merkel's urgent Brexit meeting got off to an awkward start

Theresa May flew to Germany in a last-ditch attempt to talk to German chancellor Angela Merkel about Brexit – and it got off to an awkward start.

May arrived in Germany to a red carpet reception equipped with a military guard ahead of a meeting to discuss details around Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union.

Merkel was noticeably absent as the prime minister pulled up at the chancellery in Berlin, and May had to make her way inside by herself.

A few moments later, Merkel and May were ushered outside together for photographs, dispelling the notion that the snub was deliberate.

Still, it was a cringe-worthy moment

People noticed

May scheduled to meet both Merkel and French president Emmanuel Macron ahead of an emergency EU summit on Wednesday.

Downing Street said the prime minister asked the chancellor to back her case for extending the Article 50 withdrawal process until 30 June.

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