King Charles III and Queen Camilla continued their state visit to Italy on Tuesday, receiving a warm welcome at the Quirinale Palace from Italian President Sergio Mattarella. This marks the
King’s first overseas engagement since his brief hospital stay related to cancer treatment side effects.
The royal couple arrived in style, escorted by more than 30 mounted presidential guards. They were treated to a spectacular joint flyover by Italy’s Frecce Tricolori and the UK’s RAF Red Arrows, symbolizing the strong ties between the two nations.
After their meeting with President Mattarella, the King and Queen visited some of Rome’s most iconic landmarks. At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Piazza Venezia, they laid a wreath in a solemn tribute. Their tour continued with a private visit to the Colosseum, passing by the Temple of Venus and taking in views of the historic Roman Forum.
Locals and tourists alike gathered to catch a glimpse of the royals. Among them was 18-year-old student Samuele Tassinari from Bologna, who shared his excitement: “It’s very emotional because it’s the first time I’ve seen them. We saw them earlier at the Quirinale and again in their Bentley—it was thrilling!”
Later, King Charles and Queen Camilla met members of the British community in Rome at Villa Wolkonsky, the British ambassador’s residence. Guests were welcomed with a musical performance that included the UK national anthem and classic Beatles hits played by a military band.
On Wednesday evening, President Mattarella will host a state banquet at the Quirinale Palace in honour of the British monarchs. The occasion coincides with Charles and Camilla’s 20th wedding anniversary, adding a personal touch to the celebrations.
The visit will also see King Charles meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and address a joint session of the Italian Parliament—a historic first for a British sovereign. He is expected to highlight the enduring relationship between the UK and Italy, both NATO allies, especially amid ongoing European support for Ukraine.
The royal itinerary concludes with a visit to Ravenna on Thursday, where the King and Queen will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the city’s liberation by Allied forces. They will also take time to appreciate the region’s culinary heritage and meet farmers who were recently impacted by severe flooding. Photo by Luca Aless, Wikimedia commons.