On Tuesday, King Charles III and Queen Camilla continued their four-day state visit to Italy with a packed schedule of official engagements in Rome. The visit, which marks the monarch’s first to Italy since ascending the throne, included moments of ceremony, cultural heritage, and outreach to social causes.
The royal couple began their day with a visit to the Colosseum. There they were welcomed by Italy’s Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano and Alfonsina Russo, director of the Colosseum Archaeological Park. From the Temple of Venus, which offers sweeping views of the iconic Flavian Amphitheatre, the King and Queen greeted crowds gathered to catch a glimpse of the British royals.
During their time at the site, Charles and Camilla also met with representatives from two Italian charities: Binario 95, which supports the homeless community, and Differenza Donna, which works to combat gender-based violence.
Alessandro Radicchi, head of Binario 95, said the King spent more time speaking with him than expected. “We spoke for a long time, in English,” he said. The charity presented Charles with a model house made from recycled supermarket wrapping paper, crafted by homeless individuals living near Rome’s Termini station. “He was very impressed by the gift and told us, ‘my wife will be very happy with it’,” Radicchi added.
Representatives from Differenza Donna spoke at length with both King Charles and Queen Camilla. The organisation highlighted their work managing Italy’s national anti-violence helpline (1522), as well as the network of shelters and support services for women experiencing abuse. They also thanked the Queen for her letter of support to Gisele Pelicot, a French woman who was drugged and abused over many years by her ex-husband. Italy’s Deputy Labour Minister Maria Teresa Bellucci and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy accompanied the royals during these meetings.
Happy to be back in Italy
Later in the day, the King and Queen attended a garden party at Villa Wolkonsky, the residence of the British ambassador to Italy. Speaking to ANSA, King Charles expressed his joy at being back in Italy. “There is never enough time to see everything there is to see,” he said.
During the event, the King also met representatives of various religious faiths and offered prayers for Pope Francis, who is recovering from pneumonia. “I pray for the Pope,” he said. The royals postponed a planned audience with the Pontiff due to the Pope’s health. Francis, who spent over a month in hospital, is now in the middle of a two-month convalescence.
Earlier in the day, the King and Queen visited the Victor Emmanuel Monument, also known as the Altar of the Homeland. When asked by a Mediaset journalist if they were happy to be in Italy, the couple nodded emphatically.
At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto welcomed King Charles. After the national anthems of both countries, the King laid a wreath in tribute to the Sardinia Grenadiers regiment and observed a minute’s silence. He then reviewed 200 members of Italy’s armed forces, including the army, navy, air force, Carabinieri, and Guardia di Finanza.
As the visit continues, King Charles and Queen Camilla will travel to Ravenna on Thursday. There, they will mark the 80th anniversary of the city’s liberation by Allied forces and visit the tomb of the poet Dante Alighieri.
