King Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived in Rome for their first of a four-day trip to Italy, where they will carry out engagements in the Italian capital as well as in the city of Ravenna
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King Charles and Queen Camilla land in Italy
The King and Queen have arrived in Rome for their four-day state visit to Italy as Charles insists on putting “duty before everything” as he continues to battle cancer. The royal couple flew into the Ciampino 31st Wing Airport, south of Rome, on board a British government jet accompanied by two F-35 jets from the Italian air force, at 5.15pm local time.
Charles and Camilla, wearing a Fiona Clare blue crepe dress, were greeted by Italian dignitaries and a military guard of honour. During the trip, the couple will celebrate the UK’s ties with the European nation by visiting the capital and the city of Ravenna at the request of the British Government.
The tour is hoped to “deliver a meaningful and broad legacy” as they use the soft power of monarchy to strengthen the ‘thriving’ relationship. Edward Llewelyn, British Ambassador to Italy, said today: “Their Majesties will do something intangible but priceless. Their visit will strengthen the closeness between our nations in a way that only they can, creating memories that will last a generation.”
A separate state visit to the Holy See, the government of the Roman Catholic Church, in the Vatican, has been cancelled, as Pope Francis is recuperating after leaving hospital following treatment for double pneumonia. With a number of Vatican events removed from the itinerary in Rome, the remaining engagements in the Italian capital have been spread over two days, and extra elements added to some engagements.
At the weekend the Pope made a surprise appearance in St Peter’s Square, in the Vatican. He appeared with an oxygen tube under his nose and was using a wheelchair on Sunday. Charles will become the first British monarch to address both houses of Italy’s parliament – the chamber of deputies and the senate of the republic.
The King will also hold audiences with President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and he and his wife will attend a black-tie state banquet at the Palazzo Quirinale, hosted by the president on the evening of their 20th wedding anniversary. The UK and Italy’s defence co-operation will be marked by a joint flypast over Rome by the Italian air force’s aerobatic team, Frecce Tricolori, and the RAF’s Red Arrows.
In Ravenna, near Bologna, Charles and Camilla will mark the 80th anniversary of the province’s liberation from Nazi occupation by allied forces, on April 10 1945, during a town hall reception. They will celebrate literary culture by visiting Dante’s tomb and the Queen will make a solo trip to the Byron museum.
Lord Llewelyn added: “This State Visit comes at a key moment. The UK’s relationship with Italy continues to strengthen as we reset our relationships with our European partners. Italy’s G7 Presidency last year saw especially intense co-operation between us and we work closely together, not just in the G7, but in NATO, at the United Nations, and across the world.
“This visit will inject further momentum to drive that co-operation across the board, but especially on defence, on sustainability and clean energy, and our cultural ties.”
Royal sources have told how the King is “in great form and completely unfazed” by his recent admission to hospital, following temporary side effects from his ongoing cancer treatment. Charles, 76, has been undergoing weekly treatment at a London cancer unit since his diagnosis last February, but continued to arrange appointments around his busy diary. The King at the end of last month was forced to spend several hours under observation after suffering an adverse reaction to his treatment. Palace aides however suggested the issue, which was not detailed, was “not uncommon with many medical treatments”.
However, the King did cancel a day and a half of engagements, including an away day in Birmingham on March 23, before being advised to clock off for a weekend to recover.
The King has maintained an extraordinary schedule this year, leading the royal family in engagements throughout the first three months. In the lead up to the tour the couple hosted a dinner reception at Highgrove to highlight Anglo-Italian relations which according to sources they ‘loved’ with one saying “it really did whet the appetite. Their Majesties can’t wait to meet the people and enjoy the culture, food and enthusiasm of their Italian hosts.”
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