King Charles III and Queen Camilla: Historic state visit to Rome!

King Charles III and Queen Camilla: Historic state visit to Rome!

King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived in Rome on Monday, April 8, 2025, to begin a four-day state visit to Italy. The royal arrival at Ciampino Airport was greeted by government officials. This visit comes despite the health challenges Charles faced after he announced he had cancer in February 2024 and was temporarily hospitalized as a result of his treatment.

The royal couple were duly received at a reception with military honors by the cavalry regiment known as the “Corazzieri”. The highlight of the reception was the flyover of the “Frecce Tricolori” aerobatic team, which accompanied the tribute to the British monarch.

Program items and visits

A central event of the state visit is the planned meeting with the Italian President Sergio Mattarella. Charles III will be the first British monarch to give a speech to a joint session of both Italian parliamentary chambers. Lord Llewellyn, the British ambassador to Italy, described the visit as a “historic moment” for bilateral relations between Britain and Italy. These relationships will be further strengthened as part of the UK’s post-Brexit “reset” strategy.

The program also includes a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Rome's Piazza Venezia and a tour of the Colosseum. During the visit, the royal couple will meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. However, a planned visit to the Vatican during which Charles and Camilla were supposed to meet Pope Francis had to be postponed due to the pope's health problems.

Cultural and historical aspects

A special highlight of the stay will be the trip to Ravenna on Thursday, during which the royal couple would like to visit the grave of the poet Dante Alighieri. This visit coincides with the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the province by Allied forces, giving the occasion additional historical significance.

As part of the state visit, the royal couple's commitment to the Italian slow food movement will also be highlighted. At the same time, military cooperation between Great Britain and Italy will be underlined by a joint air show by the “Frecce Tricolori” and the British “Red Arrows”.

After completing their visit to Italy, the royal couple will return to Great Britain. The state visit is not only a sign of friendship, but also a strategic step to deepen bilateral relations in the context of the changing geopolitical landscape in Europe, which is shaped by Brexit and the current security situation.

This engagement shows that the UK is committed to consolidating its position as a distinct actor in the European security architecture while maintaining close bilateral contacts with its European neighbors.