ROME, 7 April 2025 — King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrives in Rome today, beginning a four-day state visit hailed as “historic” by both UK and Italian officials. The visit, made at the request of the British government, aims to strengthen diplomatic and cultural ties between the two nations and deliver what is hoped to be a “meaningful and broad legacy.”
Edward Llewellyn, British Ambassador to Italy, described the royal presence as “intangible but priceless,” noting, “Their Majesties will strengthen the closeness between our nations in a way that only they can, creating memories that will last a generation.”
This marks the King’s 18th official trip to Italy, but his first as monarch. It also coincides with a significant personal milestone: on Wednesday 9 April, the royal couple will celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary while attending a state banquet at the Palazzo Quirinale.
Strengthening bilateral ties
The visit comes at what Lord Llewellyn called “a key moment,” as the UK seeks to reaffirm partnerships across Europe. “This visit will inject further momentum to drive that co-operation across the board, but especially on defence, on sustainability and clean energy, and our cultural ties,” he said.
Italy is currently the UK’s ninth-largest trading partner, with economic ties described as “flourishing.” Defence collaboration will also take centre stage, with a joint flypast over Rome by the Royal Air Force’s Red Arrows and Italy’s Frecce Tricolori scheduled during the visit.
King Charles is also set to become the first British monarch to address a joint session of the Italian Parliament. In addition, he will hold audiences with President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
A visit rooted in history
In Ravenna, the royal couple will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the region’s liberation from Nazi occupation by Allied forces. The gesture underscores a shared wartime history and mutual commitment to peace and democracy.
While the original itinerary had included a stop at the Vatican, the planned audience with Pope Francis has been postponed due to the Pontiff’s ongoing recovery. The Holy Father made a surprise appearance in Rome yesterday, but the palace confirmed there are no plans for a meeting during this visit.
Royal duties resume
The trip follows a period of health concerns for the King. Just over a week ago, Buckingham Palace confirmed he had been hospitalised due to side effects from ongoing cancer treatment. He has since returned to public engagements, with adjustments made to allow time for rest.
Despite this, the tone of the visit is optimistic. The royal couple’s appearance at the state banquet on Wednesday will symbolise both personal and diplomatic renewal. Once criticised during the early years of their relationship, Charles and Camilla now appear firmly established in the public eye, representing continuity and stability at a time of complex international relations.
The palace said the visit would “underscore the depth and breadth of the bilateral relationship: our defence relationship including in the current international context; our shared values, history and culture; our work together on the clean energy transition; and the links between our peoples and communities.”
The visit is expected to include several cultural events, official meetings, and symbolic gestures aimed at strengthening the already “thriving” UK-Italy partnership.
