Rome, Italy: The King and Queen marked their 20th wedding anniversary with a private audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican, a highlight of their state visit to Italy.
Held at Casa Santa Marta, the meeting was confirmed only that morning due to the Pope’s ongoing recovery from health issues. According to Buckingham Palace, King Charles and Queen Camilla was “delighted the Pope was well enough to host them” and appreciated the chance to offer their wishes in person.
The 20-minute audience included a private exchange of gifts and took place as Pope Francis continues to convalesce following a recent stay at Gemelli Hospital.
The Vatican noted that the Pope, who appeared to be gradually improving, reciprocated the King’s well-wishes—an acknowledgment of King Charles’s recent challenges following side effects from cancer treatment.
This symbolic encounter came after previously scheduled plans for a Vatican visit were postponed due to the pontiff’s health. The meeting underscored a warm diplomatic gesture, reinforcing the longstanding ties between the UK and the Vatican.
Following the visit, the King and Queen attended a grand state banquet in Rome hosted by President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinale Palace.
King Charles opened his speech with humor, saying, “It really is very good of you, Mr. President, to lay on this small romantic, candle-lit dinner for two,” as the gathering featured 150 notable guests including singer Andrea Bocelli, chef Giorgio Locatelli, hotelier Rocco Forte, and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
During the banquet, King Charles addressed more serious topics, calling attention to the fragility of today’s world and the importance of standing united in defense of shared values and liberties. The King referenced the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, emphasizing, “In difficult times, friends stand together.”
🎙️ The King has addressed a joint session of the Italian Parliament, becoming the first British monarch and only the fourth non-Italian to do so.
💬 “È molto importante per La Regina, e per me, tornare in Italia per la nostra prima visita dopo l’incoronazione. Il momento è… pic.twitter.com/T7msLVEpyV
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 9, 2025
Earlier in the day, King Charles became the first British monarch to address both houses of the Italian Parliament at the Palazzo Montecitorio. He received a standing ovation after affirming the deep-rooted historical and cultural links between the two nations.
In his remarks, delivered partly in Italian, he referenced ancient Roman influence in Britain and commended the UK and Italy’s shared commitment to supporting Ukraine. “Peace is never to be taken for granted,” he warned, reflecting on the global images of war affecting younger generations.
Queen Camilla added a nostalgic touch to the day by wearing the same ivory silk dress, designed by Anna Valentine, that she wore during their 2005 civil wedding—repurposed for the anniversary.
Earlier, the royal couple received a ceremonial red-carpet welcome from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Villa Doria Pamphili.
Their visit has been met with warmth from the Italian public, with fans greeting them near iconic landmarks like the Colosseum and Temple of Venus. Locals cheered “Carlo” as the King and Queen arrived in their claret-colored State Bentley.
The royal couple’s official X (formerly Twitter) account also celebrated the anniversary, sharing a video of guards performing Madness’s 1981 hit It Must Be Love in tribute to the King and Queen’s two decades of marriage.
Queen Camilla was also seen engaging with locals, including being presented with a margherita pizza in a takeaway box during a school visit, and receiving a bouquet of pink and white flowers. One photo even captured her next to a cardboard cutout of Paddington Bear—bringing a touch of British whimsy to Rome.
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