King Charles and Queen Camilla met privately with Pope Francis at the Vatican during their state visit to Italy, coinciding with their 20th wedding anniversary. The Pope, still recovering from recent illness, hosted the royal couple at the Casa Santa Marta on Wednesday afternoon, offering them well wishes for their anniversary. Buckingham Palace expressed the couple’s delight that the meeting was able to take place.
The encounter, which lasted about 20 minutes, had been uncertain due to the Pope’s health, and was confirmed only hours before it occurred. It followed a previously postponed Vatican visit. A photo from the meeting is expected to be released later.
The King and Queen later attended a state banquet in Rome hosted by President Sergio Mattarella. In a lighthearted toast, King Charles joked about the “romantic candle-lit dinner for two” arranged in their honour. The banquet menu featured Italian delicacies including bottoni pasta, sea bass, and a fior di latte ice cream cake with raspberries. Guests included Andrea Bocelli and Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
Earlier, Queen Camilla wore the same ivory silk dress from her 2005 civil wedding, repurposed for the day. King Charles also addressed the Italian Parliament, becoming the first UK monarch to do so, highlighting shared values, historical ties, and the importance of unity, particularly in supporting Ukraine. The address, partly delivered in Italian, received a standing ovation.
The royal couple was warmly welcomed by the Italian public, with enthusiastic crowds gathering outside landmarks such as the Colosseum. The visit continues to highlight the strengthening of diplomatic and cultural ties between the UK and Italy.
