ROYAL VISIT: KING CHARLES AND QUEEN CAMILLA IN ROME FOR STATE ENGAGEMENTS AND COLOSSEUM TOUR

ROME, ITALY • King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived in Italy on Monday for a state visit, meeting with President Sergio Mattarella and later touring the Colosseum with renowned historian Alberto Angela. The visit, which will last until Thursday, also includes a historic address by King Charles to a joint session of the Italian Parliament.

Rome, Italy, April 8, 2025 – 1:20 PM CEST • Last Updated 6:46 PM – A detachment of mounted Corazzieri, in full dress uniform, escorted King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla to the center of the Quirinal Palace's Courtyard of Honor. There, during their state visit to Rome, they received military honors and witnessed a flypast by the Frecce Tricolori (Italy's aerobatic team) and the Red Arrows (the Royal Air Force's display team) before their official talks.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella awaited the British royal couple's arrival with an honor guard including the Lancers of Montebello in historical uniform, as well as Navy and Air Force personnel. Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani was also present.

This marks King Charles's first overseas engagement since his brief hospital stay last week for ongoing cancer treatment.

At a party hosted in honor of the British royal couple at Villa Wolkonsky, the residence of the British Ambassador to Rome, King Charles told Ansa on Tuesday afternoon that he was delighted with the visit to Italy, despite feeling there's "never enough time to see everything there is to see."

King and Queen Visit Altare della Patria and Colosseum

After their discussions with President Mattarella, the British royals proceeded to the Altare della Patria. They were received by Defense Minister Guido Crosetto and welcomed by an honor guard of two hundred Italian military personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Carabinieri, and Guardia di Finanza. There, they laid a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The couple then visited the Colosseum Archaeological Park, accompanied by a special guide: the historian Alberto Angela. On his birthday, Angela shared insights into the history and restoration of Rome with them.

"They are people who make you feel very comfortable, even with their English, even for non-native English speakers like me who might fear not understanding something," Angela commented. "It's a wonderful gift, I must say that I need a moment to collect myself now; later, from the photos, I'll truly grasp what happened, like at weddings," the television presenter added.

Welcoming the English sovereigns, in addition to a large crowd of admirers and supporters, was also Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli. "Today I had the honor of welcoming His Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the Colosseum, a symbol of Rome and our history," Giuli posted on X.

British Royals Meet Rome's Non-Profit Organizations

At the Colosseum, the royals met with several non-profit organizations. Notably, King Charles had a long conversation with Alessandro Radicchi, president of Binario 95, an organization assisting homeless individuals. "We gave him a small house made from recycled supermarket papers by the homeless people at Rome Termini station. He was very impressed by the gift: 'my wife will be very happy with it,' he told us," Radicchi shared.

Queen Camilla, meanwhile, spoke with representatives from Differenza Donna, who explained their work managing the anti-violence and anti-stalking helpline (1522) for the Presidency of the Council, as well as their anti-violence centers and shelters. "We thanked her for her letter of support and closeness to Gisele Pelicot," the French woman who was abused by her husband for years, the representatives stated.

Upcoming Meetings and Historic Parliamentary Address

On Wednesday, King Charles is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Villa Pamphilj. Later, the British monarch will deliver a speech to a joint session of the Italian Parliament at Montecitorio. This marks a historic first, as it will be the first time a reigning King of the United Kingdom directly addresses the deputies of the Italian Republic.

The King and Queen will then hold a bilateral meeting with the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Lorenzo Fontana, at Montecitorio.

On Wednesday evening, the royals will return to the Quirinal Palace for a State Dinner.

The royal couple chose their state visit to Italy as an occasion to celebrate their twentieth wedding anniversary. "As we begin our first visit to Italy as King and Queen, we look forward to celebrating our twentieth wedding anniversary in such a special place and with such wonderful people!" Charles and Camilla declared in a post on X.

To mark the anniversary, the Temple of Venus will be exceptionally illuminated on Wednesday, April 9th, from 7 PM to midnight.