King Charles III has embarked on a historic four-day visit to Italy, despite a recent health scare that led to his brief hospitalization. The 76-year-old monarch arrived in Rome on Monday, where he will become the first British king to address Italy’s joint parliament. This visit marks an important milestone in the UK-Italy relations, showcasing the strengthening ties between the two nations.
The visit follows a recent health scare when the king was admitted to the hospital just 10 days ago due to temporary side effects from his cancer treatment. Royal sources assured the public that the king was “raring to go,” with officials confirming that his hospital stay was only a “minor bump” in his recovery journey. Charles resumed his royal duties shortly after, and the Italy visit, originally thrown into doubt, is now in full swing.
The king’s schedule in Italy was initially set to include a meeting with Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church. However, due to the pope’s ongoing recovery from life-threatening pneumonia, the meeting had to be rescheduled. Francis, 88, is expected to convalesce for at least two months. King Charles and Queen Camilla have sent their best wishes for the pope’s recovery and look forward to meeting him once he has regained his health.
During their stay in Rome, the royal couple will visit landmarks like the Colosseum Archaeological Park and meet with Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, and President, Sergio Mattarella. Additionally, Charles will make history as the first British monarch to address Italy’s joint parliament.
The visit will also include a celebration of the royal couple’s 20th wedding anniversary, which falls on April 9. The couple married in 2005 after a long-standing relationship, and they will mark this special occasion with a state banquet in Rome.
While the king’s health scare cast a shadow over the trip, Charles’ resilience and commitment to his royal duties have been evident throughout, making this visit a significant one in both his personal and public life.
